Saddleworth Moor fire is getting serious...

[cupid_stunt]

... the army has now been called in to help!

Thought it deserved a thread, there's an amazing time lapse video here:

We have been liaising with a military adviser on the scene and following those discussions we have requested military assistance from the Ministry of Defence.
Live updates: Army drafted in to tackle Saddleworth Moor fire

Aren't these sort of fires supposed to only happen in Johnny Foreigner lands?

 

[Mrs Miggins]

What's happened to this country while I've been away? It's bloody boiling and the land is on fire. Baffling.

 

[cupid_stunt]

What's happened to this country while I've been away? It's bloody boiling and the land is on fire. Baffling.

You brought this shit back with you!

 

[Mrs Miggins]

You brought this shit back with you!

Mwahahahaaaa

 

[hiccup]

There was a smoke haze in Southport from that fire today. From 40 miles away.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Mrs Miggins' alter-ego:

 

[Poi E]

Was just looking at the land on the way down the island and was thinking if this was NZ there'd be bush fires on the way....

 

[cupid_stunt]

Was just looking at the land on the way down the island and was thinking if this was NZ there'd be bush fires on the way....

In this case, the peat on the moor is burning, how fucking deep that'll burn is anyone's guess.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Some spokesman from Manchester Fire Service on the telly news - "We're praying for rain, which seems odd, being in Manchester".

 

[weltweit]

Forecast here says rain on Sunday.

edit, scratch that it doesn't now, hot for the next week and a half.,

 

[Bingo]

It's not looking good.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Forecast here says rain on Sunday.

edit, scratch that it doesn't now, hot for the next week and a half.,

Yeah, not looking good for rain up there...

 

[The39thStep]

One report suggested the fire was satrted by off road bikers. One village is now preparing for evacuation. Apparantly the Salvation Army have given out to firefighters 1,000 drinks, 600 Mars Bars and used 40 loaves of bread . Fair play to them I did'nt know they got involved in that sort of stuff.

 

[cupid_stunt]

One report suggested the fire was satrted by off road bikers.

That's certainly the suggestion:

The Peak District Moorland Group posted on Facebook: “Gamekeepers put out a fire on Sunday evening believed to be in connection with illegal off road bikes having forced entry into private land.

“It appears that due to the conditions, the peat was smouldering underground which then reignited on Monday, moving at speed from the Staley area onto Arnfield, covering a massive area, with switching fire columns several miles long.
Cause of moor fire still unknown - but some are linking off-road bikers

And, that's the trouble with peat, as I mentioned in post #8.

Approximately 100 soldiers from 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, and an RAF Chinook helicopter have been deployed to support the Great Manchester Fire and Rescue Service operation responding to the Saddleworth Moor fires.
LIVE updates: Saddleworth Moor hit by 'biggest fire in living memory'

Apparently the Chinook helicopter will be used to lift heavy pumps, fire-fighters & troops nearer to the various fires.

The BBC is reporting United Utilities has also provided a helicopter to drop water on to hard-to-access areas of the fire, which implies they are only using one helicopter for this purpose.

farmerbarleymow - how's the smoke in Manchester this morning?

 

[cybershot]

Although it’s only alleged I had the feeling this was caused by people being dickheads.

 

[Yossarian]

And now it appears to have spread to the moon...

 

[gosub]

I don't understand why they called in the Army.....Should have called the RAF, they need a Chinook and large bucket

 

[StoneRoad]

United Utilities have, apparently, provided the helo & bucket, and if I've read t'beeb right, the army lads are helping fire-fighters and the chinook is to shift some pumps etc to otherwise less accessible areas.

My main worry now is the risk of copy-cat arson outbreaks.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

farmerbarleymow - how's the smoke in Manchester this morning?

Sky seems clearer than yesterday (it was very hazy), but there is a slight smell of smoke. We're at the mercy of the wind direction I suppose, so it could change relatively quickly.

Here is a picture of what it was like in the city centre yesterday.

 

[2hats]

Yeah, not looking good for rain up there...

Currently no sign of rain up there until maybe 6 July, and then that will most likely be accompanied by lightning.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

the army lads are helping fire-fighters and the chinook is to shift some pumps etc to otherwise less accessible areas.

They have carried out practice runs in the past round Dovestones, lifting fire fighting kit with a chinook - sensible given the frequency of fires up on the moors.

At least there are plenty of reservoirs to draw water from up there.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

That's a little bit smokey.

Really sad about the wildlife affected by the fire.

Farmers describe horrific scenes as they saved sheep from moor inferno

 

[kebabking]

I don't understand why they called in the Army.....Should have called the RAF, they need a Chinook and large bucket

Labour and logistics - GMFR have been fighting it for the best part of a week, they're going through their reserves and they're very aware that with no real rain forecast in the next 3 weeks, this may be a month long operation. The Chinook is providing logistics mobility, moving pumps and firefighters around the moor - don't be surprised if the commitment is increased.

In addition, the GMP helicopter, RAF and Army Air Corps are providing surveillance support - the peat burns underground, it doesn't make a big flame and smoke, but it does give off a massive IR signature.

 

[spitfire]

Bring forth the Canadairs. Reckon the French have any spare?



Good luck to all involved though, can't be much fun.

 

[Schmetterling]

One report suggested the fire was satrted by off road bikers. One village is now preparing for evacuation. Apparantly the Salvation Army have given out to firefighters 1,000 drinks, 600 Mars Bars and used 40 loaves of bread . Fair play to them I did'nt know they got involved in that sort of stuff.

Jesus has changed.

 

[kebabking]

Jesus has changed.

Jesus has a Costco card!

 

[cupid_stunt]

Jesus saves.

* with his Costco Card!

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

farmerbarleymow - how's the smoke in Manchester this morning?

I'm also in central Manchester, about 16 miles away from the Saddleworth Moor fire, my windows have been open all day and night as it's too hot, and the smell this morning is much, much stronger.

Previously, the smell was more feint, like a vague neighbour had a barbecue going (but more of a woody smell than a barbecue one). Now it's as if the immediate neighbour had barbecues right outside your window, the smell is really permeating indoors now.

 

[dessiato]

Whilst I understand that the salvation army is deserving of the gallows humour, I have to praise them for the work they do supporting emergency operations. I have first hand reports, from firefighters especially, about how they turn up and provide sandwiches, drinks, and comfort. They never get recognition for this, and actively avoid it. I have no doubt they'll be there as long as they are needed.

 

[The39thStep]

Bring forth the Canadairs. Reckon the French have any spare?



Good luck to all involved though, can't be much fun.

Apparantly dumping water , hence the use of helicopters, puts out the fire on the top of the land but peat burns from underground so dumping loads of water on the surface doesnt put it out. GM Fire and Rescue are trained to bore holes into the ground and then pump gallons of the water in.