Organisations across the South Pennines Park area are calling for people to heed urgent warnings to help prevent, and report, accidental moorland wildfires.

The warnings come ahead of the long Easter break as dry warm weather significantly increases the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly. In 2022, there have already been 70 significant wildfires across England and Wales including three potential devastating fires on Marsden Moor in one weekend.

Wildlife charities, emergency services, environmental groups and local authorities have issued pleas not to light campfires or disposable barbeques in the countryside. Visitors are asked to dispose cigarettes and glass bottles responsibly.

Helen Noble, chief executive of South Pennines Park, said: “Moorland fires devastate wildlife, endanger lives and wreak havoc on our beautiful landscape.

“Organisations across the park are calling for residents, and visitors, to think twice about whether they are putting our green spaces and natural habitats at risk.

“If we have learnt anything over the past few years, it is how valuable our green spaces are, not only for health and wellbeing but in managing key environmental issues such as poor air quality, flood mitigation, biodiversity loss, livelihood crises and human environmental damage.

“It is heartbreaking to think that some of the devastation caused by wildfires could be easily prevented – as we head into spring and summer, we urge residents to take care and help protect our precious moorland and the abundance of wildlife that relies on it.”

Representing 460 square miles of landscape across Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, the South Pennines Park is located within reach of eight million people.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Station Manager and wildfire lead, Ady Taylor, said: “Wildfires can have a hugely negative impact on the environment, and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere is also a contributing factor to climate change.

“This is why we continue to urge people to take care when visiting the countryside and never be tempted to light barbecues or campfires on the moors, or flick cigarettes.

“The smallest action can have catastrophic consequences, putting people’s safety – and our natural environment – at risk.”