Hatfield Fire Today
Leanne Wittlin
These firefighters, supported by staff from a number of other agencies, are working systematically and thoroughly to saturate the fire and make sure it is completely out before fire engines are pulled away.
As stated yesterday, this incident has now moved to a new phase and both fire service staff and partners are working well and tactical plans are proving effective. Fogging units remain in place and continuing to fight the fire that is in the hot spots. Our high volume pump remains in place to ensure a good supply of water at all stages.
We are experiencing very warm weather at the moment and although the cause of this incident is not yet known, we ask that those people visiting the countryside anywhere in South Yorkshire this weekend should leave BBQs at home and dispose of cigarettes, litter, glass bottles safely to prevent further incidents like this one.
Whilst the cause of this incident is not yet known, people visiting the countryside anywhere in South Yorkshire should leave BBQs at home and dispose of cigarettes safely to prevent further incidents like this one.
The travel of fire is beginning to reduce in speed and the use of a specialist helicopter has significantly helped with this. Around half a kilometer of high volume extension pump is being used on scene alongside a number of small incident units to enable crews to get deep into the peat to reduce some of the burning.
We are continuing to work closely with Public Health England, Scottish Power and the Environment Agency who remain on scene to provide specialist advice. Doncaster Council and Natural England continue to be heavily involved in the incident response.
The smoke in the area is quite light at the moment, but we do recommend that if you live nearby and can smell smoke that you keep your windows and doors closed. We will be remaining on scene throughout the night.
At present, we have eight fire engines on scene to try and drench worse affected areas. Firefighters are making use of fire breaks to prevent the further spread of fire and the use of a specialist helicopter over the weekend has dramatically helped efforts on the ground.
Public Health England, Scottish Power and the Environment Agency are also on scene providing specialist advice. A range of other fire and rescue services have been in attendance since last week as well, offering valuable resources.
Although we are seeing progress with this incident, the message to the public remains very clear- please stay away from Hatfield Moors whilst we continue to deal with the fire. The whole area is the site of an operational incident. Not only is it risky for members of the public, it drags emergency services away from their vital work.
We appreciate it is going to be a warm bank holiday across South Yorkshire today, but officers are advising residents to keep windows and doors closed if you are being affected by the smoke plume.
The tactics deployed over the last few days, which include the use of a specialist helicopter to attack the fire from above and the use of fire breaks to prevent further spread, have continued to be in use throughout today.
Agencies involved include both South Yorkshire and Humberside fire services, Public Health England, Scottish Power and the Environment Agency. A range of other fire and rescue services have been in attendance, too.
The multi-agency effort to tackle the fire is expected to run over the Bank Holiday weekend and into next week, with crews from South Yorkshire, Humberside and further afield being supported by a range of partner agencies.
Staff from Doncaster Council, Natural England, Public Health England, Scottish Power and the Environment Agency are all continuing to offer their expertise and support in order to protect as much as the local landscape and wildlife as possible.
The main update from the Hatfield Moors this morning is a change in wind direction. This means the smoke plume is currently heading towards Epworth and Sandtoft. Residents there are advised to keep windows and doors closed for comfort.
Beyond the smoke plume and changing wind, the situation remains the same as yesterday (Friday 22 May). Firefighters from South Yorkshire and Humberside, supported by a number of other agencies, will continue to work throughout the day to tackle this fire.
They are being supported by a wide range of partner agencies including West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, Natural England, Doncaster Council, Public Health England, Scottish Power and the Environment Agency.
A specialist helicopter has also spent the day dropping water, from local lakes, onto the fire. High volume pumps are being used to get more water onto the flames and bulldozers are being used to create fire breaks to prevent further spread.
Since then, we have had fire engines and firefighters from across the entire service attend the incident in a bid to tackle the fire. With support from neighbouring services, crews are doing all they can to extinguish the blaze.
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