Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation (PDMRO) teams have been supporting the emergency services during a series of significant moorland fires across and around the Peak District.
These major incidents have required a sustained multi-agency response involving fire and rescue services, mountain rescue teams and a wide range of partner organisations. Mountain rescue volunteers have contributed specialist capabilities, local knowledge and operational support to help protect communities, critical infrastructure and the landscape.
Derby Mountain Rescue Team has provided specialist drone capability across a number of incidents, delivering live aerial imagery and thermal intelligence directly into incident command structures to support operational decision-making. Sustaining that capability over an extended period has been a collaborative effort, with trained drone observers and operational support provided by volunteers from Glossop, Buxton, Kinder and Edale Mountain Rescue Teams. A number of teams have also been supporting DFRS personnel with transportation and navigation support.
Oldham Mountain Rescue Team has supported Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service during the Dovestones and Swineshaw fires by providing medical cover for firefighters, transporting personnel and equipment across difficult terrain using 4×4 vehicles, and using local knowledge to guide fire crews to key access points.
The response has also relied on the expertise and support of many partner organisations, including the Peak District Moorland Group, farmers, gamekeepers, landowners, United Utilities, the RSPB and many others. It has been a remarkable demonstration of organisations working together, each contributing their own specialist capabilities to a prolonged and challenging series of incidents.
Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation would like to thank everyone involved for their professionalism, commitment and teamwork throughout the response.
Public safety
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service continues to advise people to avoid affected areas while firefighting operations remain ongoing.
The A628 Woodhead Pass remains closed to allow emergency vehicles and fire crews safe access, and helicopters continue to operate at low level over the incident ground.
Please do not fly drones anywhere near a wildfire incident. Unauthorised drone activity presents a serious risk to emergency aircraft and may force aerial operations to stop, potentially impacting the emergency response.
Support the PDMRO - donate now
