A major incident was declared after a wildfire broke out on Saturday evening near Dovestone reservoir. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenA major incident was declared after a wildfire broke out on Saturday evening near Dovestone reservoir. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesWoman charged with aggravated arson over moorland fire in Greater ManchesterShania Care-Slede, 20, arrested over incident at Dovestone reservoir on Saturday in which fireworks were launched
A woman has been charged with arson in connection with a major moorland wildfire, as large parts of Manchester were covered with smoke.
Shania Care-Slede, 20, from Hyde, was arrested on Monday by Greater Manchester police in Oldham. She has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving. Firefighters have declared a major incident near Dovestone reservoir, Greenfield, where fireworks were launched before a large moorland fire broke out on Saturday evening.
It is not yet clear whether the fireworks caused the blaze, although police said they had received a report of the pyrotechnics.
Large parts of Greater Manchester have been blanketed by the strong-smelling fog and thin layers of ash from three separate wildfires, including the Conwy mountain blaze more than 60 miles away in north Wales.
Scientists have warned that the UK is in the middle of a “firewave” as the prolonged heatwaves caused by the climate emergency provide the ideal condition for wildfires.
Residents said parts of the city centre were covered in an orange haze and the smell of burning on Monday night. Greater Manchester fire and rescue service have advised people in smoke-affected areas to “stay indoors where possible and keep windows and doors closed to reduce smoke entering your home.”
Fire services are currently tackling three large wildfires near Greater Manchester and in north Wales. A major incident was also declared on Sunday at Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire. The fires, which first broke out on 24 June, have since affected more than 240 hectares (600 acres) of woodland and moorland.
The city centre has also been affected by smoke from a major wildfire near Conwy mountain in north Wales, where 36 homes were evacuated. On Monday, North Wales fire and rescue service said it had stood down the major incident and that firefighters “remain in attendance to monitor conditions”.
Nineteen wildfires are currently blazing across England and Wales, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
“When vegetation is this dry, it only takes one spark to start a fire,” said the NFCC chair, Phil Garrigan, in a statement.
“We are strongly urging everyone to take extra care while enjoying the outdoors. Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, moorland, countryside areas and other open spaces, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and make sure any litter is taken home.”
