Manchester Fire services are urging residents and visitors to take extra care on moorland and in rural areas as warm weather increases the risk of wildfires. The warning comes from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as part of its annual Be Moor Aware campaign. The focus is on preventing avoidable fires that can threaten communities, businesses, emergency services and the environment.
Manchester Fire urges caution on moorland and in rural areas
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service says wildfire risk is rising as spring and summer weather turns warmer and drier. The service says there have been 83 wildfires across Greater Manchester since 2021, including 38 incidents in 2025 and six already recorded so far in 2026.
The service says recent incidents have shown how difficult these fires can be to control, with crews responding to large-scale moorland fires in remote locations and changing conditions. Those responses can stretch emergency services for long periods and increase the pressure on teams working to protect surrounding communities and wildlife.
In its public appeal, GMFRS is asking people to act responsibly when visiting moorland areas. It says small actions can make a major difference, including not using disposable barbecues and taking litter home.
What GMFRS says it is doing
The service says the Be Moor Aware campaign brings together partners including United Utilities, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, neighbouring fire and rescue services and local councils. The aim is to protect Greater Manchester’s moorland and countryside while reducing the impact of wildfires.
GMFRS says it has invested in specialist equipment and training to improve its wildfire response. That includes two Hagglund BV206 tracked vehicles with 2, 000-litre water tanks and specialist firefighting equipment, two Polaris 4×4 vehicles, a flail mower for transporting personnel and welfare facilities, fire breaks, a dedicated wildfire burn suppression team and lightweight personal protective equipment designed for wildfire incidents.
One GMFRS spokesperson said wildfire incidents create significant operational challenges, often involving long hours in remote places and rapidly changing conditions. The spokesperson said prevention remains the most effective tool and asked the public to help reduce the risk by acting responsibly when visiting moorland areas.
Public message and immediate concern
Another GMFRS spokesperson said wildfires can spread rapidly, especially during warm and dry weather, putting lives, wildlife and property at risk. The spokesperson said many of these fires are preventable and repeated the warning that people should avoid actions that could trigger new blazes.
The service has not given a new incident-by-incident timeline in this update, but the overall message is clear: wildfire risk is already active, and the warmer and drier conditions expected through spring and summer may make that risk worse. For communities close to moorland and countryside, that means the current warning is not theoretical. It is immediate.
GMFRS is linking the appeal to its wider prevention work and asking the public to stay alert when outdoors. As the Be Moor Aware campaign continues, the service says the best way to limit future harm is for visitors to take responsibility now and help stop the next Manchester Fire before it starts.
