Belmont Fires

A  firefighter beating out a fire on Belmont Moor, Bolton in 2003

Belmont Moor and Winter Hill to the North of Bolton are a few minute's drive from my house. On the occasions that you get a large fire up there, the working conditions are especially difficult and dangerous. Although the smoke plumes are visible from several miles away, locating the seat of the fire, and planning how to gain access without trespassing on private land is tricky. Then there's the long walk with  heavy equipment across boggy ground, and tussocks of grass and holes that could easily break an ankle. Then there's the fire itself, driven by strong winds that can cause it to unpredictably move across tinder dry grass at speeds that can easily outrun you. 

In 2003 several square miles of moorland were destroyed in a very dry spring, with the main television transmitter and numerous key communications facilities threatened by the fire. In 2006 the fire was better contained, with the fire service having learned some new techniques including diving masks to prevent eye damage from flying sparks and debris during beating the fire fighting.

The main picture on this page  was featured in the Daily Mail, as well as the Bolton Evening News and Manchester Evening News. The National Trust bought work for use in fundraising leaflets, and it even won a photographic competition in a government department's newsletter.

The 2006 fire was less destructive, but like Greater Manchester Fire Brigade I'd improved my technique, mainly by getting closer  and learning to watch the wind direction to make things safer.