Farmers and the public have helped each other to safety during one of the biggest moorland fires the UK has ever seen.
More than 50 homes have been evacuated as the 6km-long moorland blaze continues to spread in Saddleworth Moor, Greater Manchester.
It has been declared a "major incident", and the Army are now helping assist efforts in tackling the fire. It has stated the fire could last "for weeks".
The Saddleworth #MoorlandFire is spreading fast, local farmers are hurriedly moving livestock on the hills above #Mossley. With the blaze within 400 metres of residential property on Huddersfield Road. Roads are blocked and an evacuation is underway in some areas. #MoorsFire
— the gallery of speed (@GALLERYofSPEED) June 26, 2018
Police in Saddleworth described the problem as "unprecedented" and urged people not to go up onto the moors. About 2,000 acres of moorland had been destroyed in the fire.
Farmers have been moving around 450 sheep off the moor and away from the blaze, with the help of locals, mountain rescue and shepherds.
Fires above Greenfield, #Saddleworth getting worse it seems. Worried for the houses/farms on the hill now #saddleworthfire pic.twitter.com/QLZiV0AcrX
— Leigh (@leighhall) June 26, 2018
Meanwhile, local farmers have been joining in with efforts to help fire fighters battle the flames.
A police statement said: “Colleagues from the fire service have been fully engaged as they have tackled flames 20 feet high at times, in swirling conditions and in almost unbearable heat.
“They have been assisted by members of the farming community, staff from United Utilities and RSPB and staff from our Mountain Rescue team who have been out on constant patrol.
Incredible timelapse footage of the forest fire in Saddleworth, Manchester has been captured by amateur photographer Tristan Manchester. pic.twitter.com/3Aef8qOcBE
— Triangle News (@TriangleNewsUK) June 26, 2018
"A helicopter has been used throughout Tuesday dumping water on the leading edge of the fire and by around 16:00hrs it was estimated that around 65,000 gallons of water had been dropped onto the fire as the teams desperately fought to get ahead of the burn line.”
A farming couple, 58-year-old Chris Keytes and his wife Jane, 50, told the BBC they have refused to leave the farm despite it sitting just 30ft away from the blaze. Police are asking them to go.
"I was concerned [but] we're set up with masks and we put a towel under the door," Mr Keytes told the BBC.
"We've had fires before but this one was pretty close."
My heart goes out to the people who are directly affected by the Carrbrook & Saddleworth fires on the moors. Also the farm animals,wildlife,flora and fauna lost to this disaster. God bless… https://t.co/Qx3cWflIeo
— Dora's twin sister (@Britontour9) June 27, 2018
Public Health England offered advice to those affected by smoke. It tweeted: "Smoke is an irritant and can make people's eyes and throat sore. Wash your face with soap and water and keep hydrated by drinking water."
The fire service has planned a “heavy attack” on the fire on Wednesday (27 June).
The blaze follows a call by leading rural insurer NFU Mutual to urge farmers to be aware of tinder dry conditions which are putting the farms at high risk of devastating fires.
