UKC

Large moorland fire over near the Mermaids Inn area yesterday

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/local-news/fire-staffordshire-moorland...

Oh no.  I hate to say it with such glorious weather, but we could really do with a day of heavy rain eh?

Do we know how this and the other fire started?

Arson apparently; "A 22-year-old man, from Bolton, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life". Quoted from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-44671875

That's a different fire. (There are rather a lot of them about at the moment unfortunately.)

Such as this one.

http://www.deeside.com/smoke-from-large-gorse-fire-on-helsby-hill-affecting...

I believe arson can carry a Life Imprisonment term where it can be proven there was intent to endanger life, otherwise a term of between 1 and 20 years depending on the circumstances.

It's a very serious crime.

If arson is proven in any of the current fires, I hope they throw the book at the culprits.

I read in the Sunday Times that a gamekeeper witnessed a gang of 4 youths on off road motorbikes tearing up the moor to make an off road trials area, and when he approached them on his quad they taunted him and set fire to the moor. He has reported it to the police, including having identified the youths as "local" lads, but was complaining that the police hadn't taken any action against them, unless the arrest you refer to is one of them?

I’m very skeptical of any tale that leaves the mouth of a gamekeeper. Only the other week one tried to convince us that Running Hill Pits was not on CRoW land and that we should not be climbing without permission. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was one of their quads that set it off, a fire engine did exactly that the other day believe it or not! Blame some local youths, give police a generic description, complain when they’ve not arrested lads in blue trousers and black top etc.. But then I’m the cynical sort!

In fairness I am pretty sure that only some of the Running Hill Pits are on CRoW land from the discussion at the last peak area meeting.

I’ve been looking for a map overlay of UK wild fires but haven’t found one yet.  I’m getting more nervous by the day around our way, and not much sign of it breaking for another 14+ days.  

Another one tonight spotted towards staffordshire moorlands

Indeed they are, but the bit we were on most certainly was. Still, if I was responsible for land I’d like to think I’d know what was what, and at least understand the legislation. Seems like he’d never even heard of it.