LIVE: Huge fire breaks out on Greater Manchester moorland with smoke seen for miles - latest updates

A huge moor fire has broken out north of Oldham on Wednesday evening, with smoke and spreading flames seen for miles. A huge fire service response is at the scene near Diggle tonight.

Local residents have been urged to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed as smoke continues to billow from the site.

It comes after parts of the region saw temperatures of up to 15C today - making it one of the warmest days of 2025 so far. The cause of the moor fire has not yet been confirmed.

Dramatic pictures show a huge wall of orange flames, with a sea of blue lights towards the bottom of the hill in the Huddersfield Road and Holmfirth Road areas.

This is a live blog. Updates to follow.

We will bring you further updates on our website in the morning.

Long periods of hot, dry weather and a lack of rain make fires more likely.

Any burning spark can start a grass or wildfire - and most of these come from human activity.

The GMFRS wildfire campaign (Be Moor Aware) aims to prevent moorland fires and wildfires, and to reduce the impact which they have on the service, communities, businesses and the environment.

Members of the public are asked to 'act responsibly' on the moors and not start fires, BBQs or use fireworks. People are asked to dipose of all litter and not discard used cigarettes.

Consequences of starting a fire can result in a fine and/or prison

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have scaled back their response this evening.

Footage taken in the past few minutes show the moorland fire still burning - but it is hoped it will begin to dampen down overnight.

Here are a number of other images taken from Manchester Road this evening.

The moorland fire was first reported shortly after 4pm today.

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