[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

We’ll email you as it develops, and you can follow the whole thread from day one.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET]

4 clusters · 28 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: HEALTH · CRIME

Dovestone Reservoir wildfire persists despite rain

Entities: Ben Levy · Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service · Dovestone Reservoir · Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service · A628 Woodhead Pass

Overview

The moorland fire that broke out around Dovestone Reservoir on the night of 11 July 2026 continues into its third week. Roughly 70 firefighters, 11 fire engines and four specialist wildfire units, backed by helicopters, drones and a coast‑guard aircraft, have been maintaining an offensive hose‑line operation. A 20‑year‑old woman was arrested on 12 July and has been charged with aggravated arson and related offences.

Smoke from the blaze drifted over Greater Manchester, prompting Oldham Council to advise residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed. Authorities are still working to extinguish isolated hotspots and warn of flash‑flooding and erosion once the fire is finally out.

By 26 July the conflagration had spread across moorland near Tintwistle and Swineshaw, covering an area equivalent to about 1,250 football pitches. The A628 Woodhead Pass remains closed. Rainfall has dampened the terrain but has not extinguished the flames, and the incident remains a declared major incident. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service continue to coordinate the response, supported by national resilience resources. GMFRS Head of Response Ben Levy praised the crews’ resilience and urged the public to avoid the affected zones.

The event forms part of a wider series of UK wildfires linked to hot, dry weather, highlighting ongoing challenges for fire services nationwide.

Timeline

  1. 14 days ago

    [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Greater Manchester moor fires continue despite rain, firefighters persist

    Moors above Greater Manchester remain ablaze despite rain, covering 1,250 football pitches and closing the A628. GMFRS and Derbyshire Fire lead a major incident response, urging public caution.

  2. 26 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Dove Stone Reservoir wildfire forces hundreds of firefighters in Greater Manchester

    A moorland blaze near Dove Stone Reservoir in Greater Manchester has drawn 70 firefighters, helicopters and drones; smoke spread across the city and a 20‑year‑old woman was charged with arson.

  3. 28 days ago

    [CRIME] 17 sources
    Greater Manchester Dovestone moorland fire declared major incident, arson suspect arrested

    A major incident was declared for the Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire in Greater Manchester; a 20‑year‑old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson, and road closures remain in place.

  4. 28 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Dovestone Moor Fire Near Reservoir Continues as Smoke Visible for Miles

    A moor fire near Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth spread after reported fireworks, with smoke visible for miles; emergency services are battling the blaze while residents are advised to stay away.

Sources

birminghammail.co.uk · bristolpost.co.uk · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cambridge-news.co.uk · chroniclelive.co.uk · dailymail.co.uk · dailystar.co.uk · derbytelegraph.co.uk · examiner.co.uk · examinerlive.co.uk · gallopingluxembourg.com · getwestlondon.co.uk · ilkleychat.co.uk · leicestermercury.co.uk · liverpoolecho.co.uk · manchestereveningnews.co.uk · merdeka.org.my · mirror.co.uk · nottinghampost.com · saddind.co.uk · stokesentinel.co.uk · tamesidecorrespondent.co.uk · tamesidereporter.com · thesheffieldpress.com · uk-times.com · uk.news.yahoo.com · usdf.org · walesonline.co.uk