Firefighters tackling large moorland blaze
BBCFirefighters are tackling a blaze on moorland near a reservoir.
The fire started on the moors above Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, Saddleworth, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said.
Paul Fearnhead of GMFRS said it was "a well developed wildfire"but the service had "enough resources to maintain and slow its progression - temperatures and high winds have been very challenging for the firefighters".
Residents in surrounding areas are being urged to keep windows and doors closed because of smoke.
"Due to high winds, smoke from the fire may travel significant distances," GMFRS said.
The service said the cause of the blaze was being investigated and also confirmed it was not impacting the memorial tree plantation in the area.
Fearnhead said: "The heat is tremendous today - up in the 30s."
He also said there were "very, very high" winds which were "fairly relentless" and these were complicating putting the fire out.
Additional crews have also arrived on site and a helicopter provided by reservoir and land owner United Utilities has been dropping water on the blaze.
The efforts are expected to continue into the evening, GMFRS said.
People are being urged to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely, the service said.
Fire crews are also being supported by wildfire specialists.
A United Utilities spokesperson said it was working with the fire service and the RSPB.
"We have arranged for a helicopter to assist with firefighting operations, and our dedicated catchment team remain on site to support the emergency services," it said.
"We'd like to thank our partners for their continued efforts to extinguish the fire, and to the public for their patience and cooperation."
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