Firefighters spend several hours battling fire on Ilkley Moor, near the famous White Wells

Firefighters spend hours battling large blaze on Ilkley Moor. Picture: Simon Wilkinson

A CONSERVATION group has warned that a fire-damaged part of Ilkley Moor could take up to ten years to recover.

Four fire crews, including a specialist wildfire unit, battled the blaze which broke out last night into the early hours of today.

Firefighters were called to the slopes of the moor, not far from visitor attraction White Wells, shortly after 10pm, to reports of a small fire in the open.

But when they arrived, they found the blaze had taken hold of a much larger area of the moor, of about 200 metres by 100 metres.

Crews from Otley, Rawdon, and Silsden were called in, plus a wildfire team based in Keighley.

Firefighters spend hours battling large blaze on Ilkley Moor. Picture: Simon Wilkinson

About 20 firefighters used beaters and water to put the flames out, in scenes reminiscent of the 2006 fire which razed vegetation from acres on the western side of the moor.

The fire was put out in about two hours but firefighters stayed to damp down, making sure the blaze did not spring to life again.

Firefighters remained at the scene throughout much of today.

A spokesman for the Friends of Ilkley Moor said it could take five to ten years for the damaged area of moorland to regenerate.

He said: “It’s a sad day. We’d like to remind people how dangerous it is to a light fires or have barbecues on the moor, especially in dry weather, you can see how quickly it can spread.”

Chris Hannah, Assistant District Commander for Bradford, said: “It was a difficult fire to fight because it was on a steep banking. Firefighters worked really hard.”

The fire on Ilkley Moor. Picture: Simon Wilkinson

Joel Hill, a firefighter stationed at Rawdon station, added: "It was quite a big fire and it seemed to do quite a bit of damage.

"We're not sure of the cause yet, but it had obviously been dry and warm for a couple of days.

"It was very hard work and everyone is absolutely worn out this morning.

"There was a lot of lugging kit up and down the moor as well as the fire fighting itself.

"The flames were spread over quite a big area and the fire would intensify at points, and change with the shifts in weather.

"There were about 25 firefighters dealing with it at its height."

Although they have yet to discover the cause of the fire, firefighters have urged walkers to avoid taking barbecues on the moor in dry weather, and not to leave discard glass or cigarette ends.

A view of the fire from Ilkley Town Centre. Picture: Simon Wilkinson

Mark Hunnebell, tenant of Victorian spa bath, White Wells, said he had prepared for the fire spreading to his property but in the event did not need to leave the building.

"We got our fire beaters out, but in the end they weren't needed," he said.

"Fire is a constant concern to us between April and October and although it's unclear how this particular fire started, we have lost count of the number of times we have reported camp fires in the woods over the years. Maybe now someone will take our concerns seriously."

Firefighters use beaters today to make sure the fire is out

Firefighters made use of White Wells' water collection tank on the moor to fight the flames.

Gamekeepers also worked with the fire service through the night. Bradford Council Countryside Service officers said no repair work was possible on the site of the fire.