The helicopter is helping crews target hard to reach areas of the fire

The fire on Fylingdales Moor in the North York Moors National Park is still burning strongly and now covers more than four square miles.

Half of North Yorkshire's firefighting strength has been deployed at the scene and reinforcements have been called in from the Cleveland brigade.

The helicopter is taking water from a temporary dam that has been created to help fight the flames.

We are urging people not to come to the area to have a look. If we get sightseers here it makes our job a lot harder. Fire service spokesman

Deputy Chief Nigel Hutchison, from the North Yorkshire Fire Service, told BBC Look North the operation was going well.

He said: "I wouldn't say it is fully under control yet but we are making significant progress today, particularly with the helicopter.

"It allows us to get water onto the fire in a targeted way where it is needed.

"There are some ravines and inaccessible places there that would be completely impractical to get fire crews to when they are needed."

The fire covers an area of four square miles

The fire is being tackled on four fronts, each a mile long.

It is believed to have been started accidentally by a carelessly discarded cigarette.

But a spokesman for the North Yorkshire Service added that a second fire had started three miles away at Lattergate Hill.

He said: "We believe it is separate fire and we are treating that a little bit suspiciously at the moment."

'Stay away' warning

The main fire has been affecting an area of the Cleveland Way between Ravenscar and Boggle Hole which is popular with walkers.

A section of the A171 Scarborough to Whitby coastal road that was closed on Thursday has now been reopened.

But firefighters have stressed the need for people to stay away from the area.

The spokesman added: "We are urging people not to come to the area to have a look. If we get sightseers here it makes our job a lot harder."