Mini dams may have prevented Peak District wildfire spread
He added: "It is grief almost because you know how important this place is to people. "It is a very popular spot for lots of people."The Moors for the Future partnership is led by the Peak District National Park Authority but is funded from a variety of sources including the National Trust and the Environment Agency.On upland and exposed moors there is bare peat and Moors for the Future works to encourage grass, heather and other vegetation to grow in the peat.To allow this to happen it has created water dams on the moors by blocking gullies and water channels.The fire was largely contained within the Goyt Valley and didn't spread on to the open moorland between Buxton and Macclesfield.Mr Randle added: "There are many, many areas where we have put in dams that were holding water that would not have otherwise been there."It has been exceptionally dry in lots of areas where we were working. "The fire may well have been worse and buried deeply into the peat in some areas (if it had not been for the dams)."
There are two reservoirs at the base of the Goyt Valley owned by United Utilities, which also owns the surrounding land.Ed Lawrance, a catchment officer for the company, said: "It is just an incredibly sad situation."We have seen them before, these big moorland fires, and know how devastating they are for the wildlife and the habitat up here, for the people who visit, for the people who work and manage this area."So it is always an awful experience when we get a big wildfire like this."A Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "The fire service supports the regeneration of moorland in the Peak District and work undertaken through the Moors for the Future Partnership."This vital work to restore the moors includes re-wetting which can help to reduce the risk and severity of wildfires."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Delayed grass cutting boosts butterflies at ancient royal hunting forest
The National Trust, which looks after Hatfield Forest in Essex, said the number of butterfly species recorded at the reserve has reached a 17-year high. The conservation charity said the reserve is home to 24 butterfly species. It said numbers of marbled-white and small heath butterflies are particularly high, and sightings of the elusive purple emperor are also on the increase. While a hot and dry spring contributed to high numbers, it is thought that a change in the way the landscape is managed has had the biggest impact, the charity said. James Rowland, National Trust operations manager at Hatfield Forest, said: 'Grassland management is an important part of how we manage the landscape. 'Two years ago we decided to make a small change to managing this habitat and since then we've seen numbers soar. 'Each year the grass, including the wildflowers, would be mechanically cut in June, but by delaying this as long as possible, to late July into August, we're allowing flowering species to remain in flower for longer, providing greater benefit to nectar-reliant species. 'Even plants such as thistle and ragwort, which can outcompete other flora species without some level of control, are extremely valuable for butterflies and other pollinators, so we've been allowing them to remain in flower as long as possible and only cutting at the point they turn to seed.' A herd of red poll cattle also play a part in creating the best conditions for wildflowers to grow. 'When cattle graze, not only do they help keep scrub and other dominant plants under control, they help break up the compacted soil,' said Mr Rowland. 'For the last few years we've made the move to retain a small number to graze over the winter months to help suppress the growth of scrub species like bramble. 'We're finding that the presence of the cattle during this period of the year is also helping to prevent a thick thatch of plant matter from smothering next spring's growth of grass and wildflowers.' He continued: 'As our summers get hotter and drought-like conditions become more common, it's more crucial than ever to sustain a nectar source for our pollinators. 'During a peak dry spell, many grassland species quickly start to decline and our hardiest species like thistle and ragwort can be a lifeline to many invertebrates.' Official records at the forest began in 2008 but annual butterfly surveys have been carried out by staff and volunteers for more than 50 years. The National Trust describes Hatfield Forest as the 'most complete example of a medieval royal hunting forest surviving today'. Hatfield Forest was owned by the then King of England, Harold, immediately before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It then passed to William after his victory at the Battle of Hastings and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The royal hunting forest was created by Henry I in about 1100 and royal hunting rights remained until 1446.
Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Delayed grass cutting boosts butterflies at ancient royal hunting forest
The National Trust, which looks after Hatfield Forest in Essex, said the number of butterfly species recorded at the reserve has reached a 17-year high. The conservation charity said the reserve is home to 24 butterfly species. It said numbers of marbled-white and small heath butterflies are particularly high, and sightings of the elusive purple emperor are also on the increase. While a hot and dry spring contributed to high numbers, it is thought that a change in the way the landscape is managed has had the biggest impact, the charity said. James Rowland, National Trust operations manager at Hatfield Forest, said: 'Grassland management is an important part of how we manage the landscape. 'Two years ago we decided to make a small change to managing this habitat and since then we've seen numbers soar. 'Each year the grass, including the wildflowers, would be mechanically cut in June, but by delaying this as long as possible, to late July into August, we're allowing flowering species to remain in flower for longer, providing greater benefit to nectar-reliant species. 'Even plants such as thistle and ragwort, which can outcompete other flora species without some level of control, are extremely valuable for butterflies and other pollinators, so we've been allowing them to remain in flower as long as possible and only cutting at the point they turn to seed.' A herd of red poll cattle also play a part in creating the best conditions for wildflowers to grow. 'When cattle graze, not only do they help keep scrub and other dominant plants under control, they help break up the compacted soil,' said Mr Rowland. 'For the last few years we've made the move to retain a small number to graze over the winter months to help suppress the growth of scrub species like bramble. 'We're finding that the presence of the cattle during this period of the year is also helping to prevent a thick thatch of plant matter from smothering next spring's growth of grass and wildflowers.' He continued: 'As our summers get hotter and drought-like conditions become more common, it's more crucial than ever to sustain a nectar source for our pollinators. 'During a peak dry spell, many grassland species quickly start to decline and our hardiest species like thistle and ragwort can be a lifeline to many invertebrates.' Official records at the forest began in 2008 but annual butterfly surveys have been carried out by staff and volunteers for more than 50 years. The National Trust describes Hatfield Forest as the 'most complete example of a medieval royal hunting forest surviving today'. Hatfield Forest was owned by the then King of England, Harold, immediately before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It then passed to William after his victory at the Battle of Hastings and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The royal hunting forest was created by Henry I in about 1100 and royal hunting rights remained until 1446.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
Zoo's delight at birth of 'super small and extremely cute' monkey
Zookeepers have said they are "absolutely thrilled" at the birth of a critically-endangered cotton-top tamarin, named for the wild crest of white hair that grows as they mature, was born at Blackpool zoo to parents Rosa and birth has been celebrated as there are only an estimated 2,000 adults left in the wild due to habitat loss in their native Colombia."Every single successful birth helps secure the future of this precious species," Emma Swindells, senior keeper, said. "Cotton-top tamarins are tiny, even as adults they don't weigh more than 1lb and are just 8 to 10 inches long," she said. "As you can imagine, the babies are super small and extremely cute so it is always lovely to see the reaction of visitors when they spot one."Other monkeys have been taking turns to look after the tiny infant to ease pressure on the mother. The zoo has seven of the tamarins across two social groups, with two being born last new baby will be named once its gender has been determined, a zoo spokesman said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
