Firefighters battle BOMBS exploding in two-week-old moor blaze as locals need to ‘prepare to evacuate’

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FIREFIGHTERS tackling an enormous two-week-long blaze at a moor have had to battle more than a dozen exploding bombs.

Crews have been working tirelessly to put out the massive wildfire which erupted on Langdale Moor in the North York Moors National Park on Monday, August 11.

GettyCrews have been fighting the blaze for more than two weeks[/caption]

Thirsk Fire StationThe fire has been raging on Langdale Moor in the North York Moors National Park[/caption]

GettyMore than 18 bombs have exploded as the inferno continues to burn[/caption]

Officials say at least 18 unexploded bombs from the Second World War have now detonated as a result of the fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said the blaze had become even more dangerous and unpredictable due to the bombs, with many more at risk of exploding as the wildfire continues.

Part of the land in which the inferno is raging was used as a tank training area during WWII, where many unexploded bombs have remained for more than 80 years.

Jonathan Dyson, head of paid service at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, explained this had made the fire tougher to tackle.

In an update, he said: “It’s extremely difficult to try and cross the moorland, particularly with fire kits and trying to do the water application in [the Moorland], which does hinder some of the firefighting operations.

“One of the rare occurrences for this was that we had to adopt a very defensive firefighting strategy in one of the key sectors due to finding unexploded World War II ordnance.

“As the peat continues to burn down, the fire is catching World War II ordnance where the land was used as a World War II tank-training area.”

He added: “So far, we have experienced over 18 ordinance explosion inquiries.

“Now understandably, our firefighting tactics can only be defensive in those areas, and therefore, where we cannot deploy firefighters immediately into the scene, we therefore deploy them into other areas to try and prevent the spread as it moves across.”

Countless locals and holidaymakers have been evacuated, with many more being told to prepare to leave their homes if the fire worsens.

Jonathan said: “We have to be realistic and as the fire has continued to move across the moors, we have evacuated small scale areas predominantly into home accommodation and car areas, and we’re all working with strategies – should we need to evacuate areas of population.

“Now, before we would do that, we would go through an informing scenario where we would target certain postcodes in areas: We will inform residents as to what the strategy is, how our partner agencies would help them to be evacuated and of course – where they would go to, and also offering reassurance from them around their property.

“If we have to do those, please rest assured that you will be informed, you will receive guidance and continued support throughout.”

One evacuated holidaymaker, Jade Watson, described how her trip was cut short by the blaze.

She said: “Being evacuated from the fires in North Yorkshire was an overwhelming experience. It all happened very quickly – one moment it seemed like a distant concern and we were just enjoying our holidays and the next we were told we had to leave our camp site.

“The speed and intensity of the situation were frightening and our kids were very scared seeing the smoke and flames so close – it was surreal, which I don’t think I’ll get out of my head for a long time.

“What really struck me was the sense of community checking in on one another, and the calm professionalism of the emergency services who guided us to safety to go get our belongings.

“We had to drive south to Scarborough to do a big loop back to Newcastle but were just glad to be home safe – but can’t help but think of people who live there, locals, animals and farmers all involved. I am hoping it’s all over soon for everyone.”

North York Moors Moorland OrganisationFire crews have had to adopt a ‘very defensive strategy’ as a result of the unexploded bombs[/caption]

PALocal residents have been warned over ‘short-term health issues’ arising from exposure to smoke[/caption]

PASome holidaymakers were forced to evacuate as a result of the blaze[/caption]

Farmers have been spotted helping out in tackling the blaze while gamekeepers at the national park have been using controlled fires to stop the inferno spreading further.

The blaze has closed roads, a campsite and diverted coast-to-coast walkers.

In an update today, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “We have 10 appliances at the scene currently and continue working with partners.

“A helicopter is also in use at the scene.

“Please continue to avoid the area and follow the road closure notices.”

The North York Moors Moorland Association, which is a collection of upland estates, posted an update on social media, saying the “massive” amount of smoke in the air is causing them problems.

On Facebook, the organisation wrote: “Rain is appearing but this will not be a quick fix, it will help dampen down the top fuel load, but it is the burning peat underground that will take some halting.”

It continued: “A massive thank you again to the amazing fire service and their army of staff and volunteers, the farmers for their enormous efforts to help control and implement measures to try and stop the spread and also to the gamekeepers with their fire knowledge.

“The conditions in which they are all working is extreme to say the least.

“It is not just the extreme heat and smoke conditions but the increased risk of exploding WW2 bombs that are causing additional problems and so the necessity of other methods is having to be implemented.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has said people living in the Langdale Moor area should prepare a grab bag if they are required to evacuate their home quickly.

Drivers have again been urged not to ignore road closed signs.

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