It would appear that the recent closures of many of the moorland crags in Derbyshire and Yorkshire over recent weeks were a sensible precaution. For much of the past week a fire blazed out of control on Ilkley Moor. Thought to have been started deliberately, it is now thankfully under control, but not before it affected over 500 of the 1670 acres of the moor. It took more than five days to put it out partly because water was having to be driven in from a local main. Conservationists are concerned that the badly burned areas may take up to 20 years to recover, with the lightly singed edges rejuvenating in a few years or less. Whereas other moors had been closed to public access Ilkley was left open due to a legal loophole which doesn´t allow its landowner, Bradford Council, to bar access. It is not thought to have affected the crags (Cow & Calf). Check out this satellite image (the fire is not visible) of the area. See The Ilkley Gazette for updates. ———————————————————————– If you have any news worth reporting please contact Matt – matt@planetfear.com / 0114 2969114 ———————————————————————–