Warning issued after first moorland fire of year

Firefighters have called for caution after the first moorland fire of the year broke out.

Crews from Huddersfield, Slaithwaite and Holmfirth tackled the wildfire on Marsden Moor on Wednesday afternoon, saying at its height it stretched across more than 1,300 sq ft (400 sq m).

Following the blaze West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning to people to take care with drier conditions and Easter approaching.

The fire service also reminded visitors that Public Space Protection Orders are in place across some areas of moorland, meaning barbecues, open fires, fireworks and sky lanterns are not allowed.

In 2025 a moorland fire in North Yorkshire which burned for 40 days and covered nearly 10 sq miles (25 sq km) was found to have most likely been caused by someone cooking using a campfire or gas burner.

Meanwhile, in 2022 a man was jailed for 12 months after setting of a firework which sparked a mile-long blaze on moorland near Huddersfield.

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