A major incident has been declared as Derbyshire firefighters tackle a large-scale wildfire on Tintwistle Moor near Glossop, burning hundreds of hectares of moorland and woodland.

The blaze on Tintwistle Moor began on 24 June and has scorched roughly 260 hectares, with officials noting the area is equivalent to about 350 football pitches and expected to continue for some time.

Firefighters operated with multiple fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources, supported by neighbouring services and partner agencies, with damping down continuing after main crews left on 2 July.

Residents are advised to close windows and doors and avoid the affected area, with road and footpath closures in place amid hot, dry conditions during Britain’s heatwave.

The fire began during the June heatwave, reached temperatures around 34C, reignited during another hot spell, and prompted a large multi-agency response that paused on 2 July and then resumed.

Official statements describe the incident as significant and complex, requiring a protracted, multi-agency response with continuous deployment of engines, wildfire units, drones and cross-agency coordination.

Public warnings remain in effect to stay clear of the area and comply with road and footpath closures as operations continue.

Firefighters report challenging conditions and emphasize a protracted operation, with teams returning to the scene and ongoing closures and road restrictions in the area.

Crews, backed by neighbouring services and specialist wildfire teams, anticipate the operation lasting for some time while safeguarding infrastructure and the environment.

This wildfire fits a broader pattern of heatwave-driven fires across Britain, with other incidents in North Wales and the southwest highlighting elevated fire risk during extreme temperatures.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service leads the response, coordinated with Peak District Fire Operations Group, United Utilities, Derby Mountain Rescue and Derbyshire Constabulary.

Officials urge the public to avoid the area and not light barbecues or discard cigarettes to prevent further fires, especially on dry moorland.