Air quality data has revealed the areas of Greater Manchester hardest hit by the ongoing moorland fires as crews continue to tackle two major incidents.
The huge moor fires near Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham and on Tintwistle Moor near Glossop are continuing to send huge plumes of smoke across our region and beyond. Firefighters from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were first called to Dovestone on Saturday night.
A major incident was declared on Monday afternoon as firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent further spread across the moorland at the beauty spot amid hot weather conditions.
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The wildfire at Tintwistle, above Woodhead Road in Glossop, first broke out nearly three weeks ago amid the heatwave on June 24. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident as the blaze raged on.
It has burned an area the size of 350 football pitches already, and firefighting operations will go on ‘for some time’, officials said. On Monday evening, the service said ‘full operations’ would resume today.
People have been urged to avoid both areas. Residents living near to both Dovestone and Tintwistle have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed.
Now, according to air quality website IQ Air, Stockport’s latest air quality reading is the worst across the region and has been classed as ‘unhealthy’ with an air quality score peaking at around 154. The website advises that an AQI value of around 0-50 represents good air quality.
As the fires blaze on, the maps show that the air quality in Stockport, specifically around Heaton Moor, is bearing the brunt of the smoke and has been ranked as unhealthy.
Air quality across Greater Manchester in the early hours of Tuesday morning(Image: IQAir)
Other areas in Greater Manchester, such as Withington, Hulme and Chorlton-cum-Hardy have been classified as ‘moderate’, with scores exceeding 50AQI, and other areas have been classed as ‘good’, according to IQ Air.
The website claims that its Air Quality Index measures six key pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, to reach a single number that reflects air quality in an area.
According to eyewitnesses spoken to by the Manchester Evening News, residents near to the moor fires reported hearing ‘loud bangs’ prior to the fire taking hold with videos of youths setting off fireworks shared on social media. Some of those who set the fireworks off have been identified, a councillor said on Monday.
Smoke billowing from the moorland fire near Dovestone on Tuesday(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
A woman, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of arson over the wildfire. She was being questioned in custody on Monday.
The incident came barely 24 hours after the tragic death of Karl Holland at Dovestone Reservoir. The 18-year-old died after getting into difficulties at the beauty spot.