Fire close to a Royal Air Force base in North Yorkshire has been classified as a major emergency
Major Moorland Fire Rages in North Yorkshire
A significant moorland fire near RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire has been burning since August 11, 2025, and continues to pose a challenge for firefighters. The blaze, known as the Langdale Moor wildfire, has spread over several days and is expected to last for "a number of days."
The fire started near Langdale Moor, an old army range with munitions, requiring extra precaution for crews. Despite the challenging conditions, including dry weather, peat burn, and complex terrain, firefighters are operating mainly along the perimeter to contain the fire, supported by ground and aerial resources.
Initially, the fire covered an area of 300x300 meters by Tuesday morning, expanding to 1 kmx1 km by Tuesday afternoon, and now spans approximately 5 square kilometers. The fire has damaged a protected area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with experts stating recovery could take decades to millennia.
Resources deployed to combat the fire include 20 fire appliances, water bowsers, six fire engines, and all-terrain vehicles. Support from neighboring fire and rescue services is involved, including the use of a helicopter for water drops. Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are present due to the munitions risk in the old army range. Local farmers and businesses have also assisted on site.
The hot, dry weather in the UK has made such fires more likely. Elsewhere in Europe, fires have also been a significant issue. In Spain, a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter died from burns while building firebreaks near the town of Nogarejas. Authorities in Turkey and Albania reported that 10,000 personnel are battling 24 wildfires. Fires have also spread on the popular holiday islands of Chios and Kefalonia.
In France, at least 1,400 firefighters were deployed in the southern Aude region last week to try to stop the country’s biggest wildfire in decades from reigniting. About 7,700 residents were evacuated near the Greek city of Patras, west of Athens.
In Dorset, a fire on heathland was also declared a major incident at the weekend. Crews are still on site at Holt Heath today, dealing with hotspots and occasional flare-ups sparked by wind. Pictures posted on Facebook by Bedale fire station showed the fire burning overnight.
Despite the ongoing efforts, the fire remains active, and more resources are now being sent to the scene in an effort to bring it under control. European nations have been dealing with much more destructive fires this summer, especially in the south of the continent.
- The current wildfires in North Yorkshire, called the Langdale Moor wildfire, have been joined by reports of warmer-than-usual temperatures and arson causing crime-and-justice concerns, creating a general-news conundrum across Europe.
- As the Langdale Moor wildfire in North Yorkshire weakens the local environment, weather forecasts predict thunderstorms, which could potentially trigger crime-and-justice issues of looting, while also providing an opportunity to extinguish the wildfires with appropriate resources.
