Fire in Macclesfield Forest

Firefighters are still dealing with a large woodland and grass fire in Macclesfield Forest.

Crews are at the scene tackling the blaze, with additional resources on their way to assist. Members of the public are urged to avoid the area while emergency services work to bring the fire under control. Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas and people nearby are advised to keep windows and doors closed if affected.

Please do not travel to the area and avoid blocking access routes needed by emergency vehicles.

Our Incident Command Unit is now in place, with partner organisations, including Cheshire Police and United Utilities, working alongside Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to coordinate the response.

United Utilities is providing aerial firefighting support, dropping water onto the affected area from above, while firefighters on the ground continue to tackle the blaze with their wildfire equipment.

The incident has been sectorised, with crews working across a number of areas to try to stop the fire from spreading.

We are receiving reports of people continuing to arrive in the area and, while we understand that the forest is a popular destination for walkers and visitors, it is crucial that people stay away while emergency services deal with this incident.

The fire remains ongoing and conditions can change rapidly. There is a lot of smoke in the area and there is also the potential danger of people coming too close to active firefighting operations and the flames. Stay safe, stay away.

Firefighters remained in attendance at Macclesfield Forest overnight, with relief crews being brought in to continue tackling the fire.

A fire investigation has been carried out and the most probable cause has been identified as a discarded disposable barbecue found in the area.

This incident is a reminder of the devastating impact that careless behaviour can have on our countryside, particularly during periods of warm, dry weather.

Due to the terrain, conditions and limited visibility, firefighting operations could not safely continue in the same way overnight. The incident was reduced to four fire engines, with relief crews arriving through the early hours to maintain a watch on the fire and respond to any flare-ups.

Wildfire specialist firefighters are due to return shortly to reassess conditions and continue firefighting operations as required. We are asking members of the public to please stay away from Macclesfield Forest today while crews remain at the scene.