Helicopters are pouring water on the fires

Park ranger Sean Prendergast said.: "The environmental damage caused by the fires is catastrophic.

"We have had hares and even sheep which have been burned and had to be put down."

Fires at Bleaklow Head and Kinder Scout are now thought to be under control.

Hotspots remain

"These are declining species that are already in danger and this is the last remaining habitat," he said.

Helicopters returned to the Peak District to tackle moorland fires on Tuesday after nearly a week of firefighting.

Fires were spotted in Derbyshire and Staffordshire at Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, Saddleworth Moor and the Roaches near Buxton.

Heavy rain on Monday helped firefighters who have been tackling the fires but some hotspots remained.

As well as using helicopters, emergency crews will use special water injectors to cool peat, which is still smouldering deep under the surface.

It is feared some of the fires could have caused "irreparable" damage to areas of moorland affected by the flames.