Langdale Moorland Fire Fighting Efforts Continue Amid Further Ordnance Explosions

A significant moorland fire near Fylingdales has now been burning for 11 days, with firefighters facing the additional challenge of 16 explosions from old military ordnance over the past week.

While the fire is contained, operations are anticipated to continue for at least another two weeks to fully extinguish it.

Area Manager for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Ben Illsley, stated that the presence of "previously unexploded ordinance and munitions on the site" has impacted some of the tactics deployed. Deputy Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, Jo Coles, also acknowledged that the operation is "further complicated by the munitions that are on site". Over the last eight days alone, approximately 16 munitions have detonated on the moor.

Ben Illsley says that although the incident is now under control it still requires a large number of fire engines to manage the situation.

"Last Wednesday we had 19 appliances on scene and it has gradually scaled down since then.

We're currently operating with approximately five appliances in attendance during the day and three appliances overnight. We anticipate this level of response will remain on scene until at least Monday next week.

The primary operations on scene are now dampening down hotspots and preventing any further fire spread with containment from the perimeter.

There has been very limited fire spread over the last five days, but there is a massive amounts of peatland in the middle of that area that is burning it remains very hot and there will remains to be, significant amounts of smoke in the area, but the incident is under control. "

"Operations over the last five days have improved. We've been highly effective on scene at preventing further fire spread and the fire is being contained.

The current area involved in the fire is estimated as being between five and eight square kilometres.

Throughout our response on scene, we've encountered the challenge of previously unexploded ordinance ammunitions on the site. And over the last eight days, approximately 16 munitions have gone off on the moor. It has impacted some of the tactics we've been able to deploy on scene.

So whilst the fire has been contained, this is still a major incident for us and there will be smoke in the area for the next few days at least.

Our advice to local residents and visitors is to avoid the immediate areas you can and to keep windows and door closed.

Outside of the immediate area near Fylingdales, the rest of the national park and areas like Dolby Forest remain open.

There does remain an extreme fire risk, so we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid any disposable barbecues and discarding any smoking materials anywhere in the area. 

Ben says that favourable weather conditions have aided firefighting efforts over recent days.

"The changes in weather have been favourable for our operations over the last number of days. So when the fire progressed quite quickly last week, it was extremely hot and dry. Very little humidity in the ground, which encourages fast fire growth. So over the last few days as well as very effective firefighting from the perimeter, there is more moisture in the ground.

Generically, the dew point changes, which provides more moisture into the ground as well.

There was a small amount of rain on the moors there yesterday. Not enough to extinguish the fire, but it any moisture content in the air and on the ground helps this. What it does do, however, it does encourage more kind of steaming off of the fire.

So if you've got hot conditions in the peak land when water falls on there, as well as the water we are applying to there, it does generate more steam.

So some of the elements in the smoke cloud that you'll see in the local area is actually steam from the water that's coming off there as well. So hasn't been masses of rain there but the weather changes have been favourable.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue continues to advise local residents and visitors to "avoid the immediate area if you can and to keep windows and doors closed". They also warn of an "extreme fire risk," urging vigilance and caution against using disposable barbecues or discarding smoking materials anywhere in the area. While the immediate area near Fylingdales should be avoided, "the rest of the national park and areas like Dalby Forest remains open".

Deputy Mayor Jo Coles visited the scene of the fire this week and has extended her thanks to everyone involved in the emergency response

"I just wanted to add my thanks and those of the mayor to the crews who are demonstrating outstanding professionalism on the moors at the moment.

Their commitment is really astonishing to see. I went to site in order to pass on my thanks to them in person and some of those crews are travelling long distances to the fire every day and the fire itself is a long way from the road. So there is a complicated operation and as Ben said, there is, it's further complicated by the munitions that are on site.

I also wanted to extend my thanks to our partners who are working on site, including. North Yorkshire Police the local authority the local farmers, the Ministry of Defence, Yorkshire Water, the Forestry Commission, everybody is being extraordinary in terms of their efforts that they are making."

The Mayor and Deputy have pulished an open letter to the fire service in which they say:

To North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and everyone that has helped tackle the fire on Langdale Moor

We want to say a huge thank you to every single one of you for the incredible work you have done, and continue to do, to tackle the fire on Langdale Moor.

Your hard work in keeping the fire contained and stopping it from spreading further has made a huge difference to our communities. The care you’ve taken not just for residents, but for wildlife and the moorland itself, has been noticed and valued by us all. At a time when many people were worried, you were there to protect what matters most.

We also want to recognise the way you’ve kept everyone updated. The clear and timely information you’ve shared has helped communities feel safer, make the right decisions, and stay reassured in difficult circumstances. That communication has been every bit as important as the work on the ground.

It’s not just those fighting the fire in person we want to thank. Firefighters across York and North Yorkshire have stepped up to ensure the Service could continue responding to other emergencies across the region. And behind every crew on the moor there are control room staff, coordinators, and support teams working flat out to keep everything running smoothly. Your role is just as vital, and your efforts deserve the same appreciation.

We know how demanding this job is, and how much it asks of you. Incidents like this show again the incredible commitment, professionalism, and resilience of our fire and rescue service. What you’ve done over these past days has been outstanding, and we want you to know it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

We also want to thank your colleagues in other fire and rescue services including Humberside, West Yorkshire, and Cleveland, who have supported efforts to tackle this fire. Employers across our region who have released their staff to undertake on-call and volunteer firefighter duties, and the farmers and land managers who have stepped up and offered support, we’re incredibly grateful for your help and support.

On behalf of people right across York and North Yorkshire, thank you. We are all proud of you, and very grateful for all you’ve done to protect our communities, our countryside, and our wildlife.

With our very best wishes and thanks,

David Skaith Mayor of York and North Yorkshire

Jo Coles Deputy Mayor of York and North Yorkshire for Policing, Fire and Crime

Related Stories

• VIDEO: North York Moors Fire Work Continues
• Yorkshire Coast Farmers Join Efforts to Tackle Moorland Fires
• Explosions as Fire Crews Tackle North York Moors Fire
• Warning As Fylingdales Blaze Grows- Mayor & Deputy React