Moorland fire in Britain after soaring temperatures

Ilkley Moor fire 'spreading rapidly' after rising temperatures

Firefighters are tackling a large moorland fire which is "spreading rapidly".

BBC,

20 April, 2019

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said several acres of Ilkley Moor was ablaze after a day of soaring temperatures.

The fire involves moorland above White Wells in Ilkley, with Bradford Council warning walkers to keep off the moors.

Crews from 14 engines are using beaters, water backpacks and leaf blowers to fight the blaze.

Martyn Hughes, a watch manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service which is assisting WYFRS, tweeted: "The intense heat, steep slopes and rough terrain are causing the fire to spread rapidly whilst we try to get near the flames."

The Met Office confirmed Saturday was the hottest day of the year, with 25.5C recorded in Gosport, Hampshire.

Forecasters have said the UK is set for record-breaking temperatures over the rest of the Easter weekend.