When the Moor Burns: What's Happening in the Peak District and Why It Matters

August 24, 2026 Sarah Holland

As many of us have seen through snapshots across our news and social media feeds, parts of the Peak District have been on fire for weeks. And while the cameras have largely moved on, the reality is, the gamekeepers haven’t.

The Tintwistle Moor wildfire burned for over five weeks this summer, destroying 606 hectares, the equivalent of 900 football pitches, before being contained. It was declared a major incident; it made national news. And then, as these things tend to do, it slipped down the agenda, and trickled as quickly out of people's feeds as it had appeared.

But for the gamekeepers, estate workers and moorland managers who have spent days and nights out on those hills, it isn’t as simple as that, and it certainly hasn't slipped anywhere.

These are the landscapes they work every single day. And right now, those landscapes need more than fleeting headlines to raise awareness.

We've written before in our Country Files blog about why the moorlands matter, but this felt like a moment to speak up here, too.

The People You Don’t See

The fire service has received enormous credit for their response to these fires (and rightly so!) But there is another group whose contribution usually goes largely unrecognised in mainstream coverage, and that's the gamekeepers and moorland managers who have been out there working alongside fire crews, often through the night, and long after the cameras have left.

These are people who know every stream, every gully, every water source and every access track on their patch, and not because they studied a map, but because they walk it every single day of the year. They hold experience that is genuinely invaluable in a wildfire situation, and it's knowledge that no emergency service, however well-equipped, can replicate.

Richard Bailey, coordinator of the Peak District Moorland Group, has been central to organising an emergency response to this year’s devastating wildfires, but he's the first to point out that this has been a collective effort from gamekeepers right across the Peak District, whose combined knowledge and kit have been irreplaceable.

It’s gamekeepers like him who bring not only knowledge, but specialist equipment, including Argocats with fogging units and diggers, that the fire service simply isn’t equipped to carry. The final breakthrough on the Tintwistle fire came when gamekeepers worked alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue to cut a firebreak on the neighbouring Stalybridge estate.

And what most people don’t know is that they did all of this voluntarily, keeping spirits up despite the ongoing battle. Because this is their land, their livelihood, and they know better than anyone what losing it looks like.

Why This Is Bigger Than a Headline

When we see dramatic footage of flames on the evening news, it's easy to assume the damage ends when the smoke clears and all is returned to normal. But sadly, that's far from the truth.

Wildfires destroy nesting habitat for curlew, lapwing, golden plover and dunlin, often at the height of breeding season. They also kill insects, reptiles and small mammals, and damage deep peat soils that have taken thousands of years to form. Once peat begins to burn, it can continue smouldering underground for days or even weeks, making fires extraordinarily difficult to extinguish.

And the resulting carbon cost is staggering:

A single campfire at the Roaches in the Peak District back in 2018 released over 11,000 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of running 1,426 homes for an entire year.
UK peat fires account for up to 90% of annual fire-driven carbon emissions in this country, despite covering only a fraction of the land that burns each year.
UK moorlands hold 42% of the entire UK carbon stock.

To put it frankly, these landscapes aren't just beautiful; they’re living landscapes doing critical work, and unlike heather, which can take up to 20 years to recover after fire, burnt peat can take centuries to reaccumulate.

Once it's gone, it's gone.

The Management Debate

This is where the conversation can get complicated, and we want to be honest about that.
For generations, carefully planned, tightly regulated prescribed burning carried out during winter months helped reduce the volume of older, highly combustible vegetation on the moor. Many of those involved on the ground believe that without it, the fuel load feeding these catastrophic summer fires has simply been allowed to build. The Tintwistle fire spread from a moor that had been extensively rewetted but not managed with burning, which I guess you could say speaks for itself.

The debate around controlled burning is ongoing and genuinely contested, and at Hollands, we're not here to take sides, but we are here to stand behind the people doing the work on the ground and make sure their voice is part of this conversation.
Whatever your view on management methods, one thing is difficult to argue with: these fires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and harder to control.

What We Can Do

The sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of wildfires are started by people. Not maliciously, but carelessly, and that means the single most powerful thing most of us can do is simple: be more careful out there and educate as many people as possible.
In line with the experts, here are the things to keep in mind, and keep sharing:
Never use disposable barbecues or light open fires on moorland
Take all litter home, especially glass bottles, which can focus sunlight and ignite dry grass in the right conditions

Never discard cigarettes or matches on or near moorland
Stick to designated paths where possible during dry, hot weatherIf you see any sign of smoke or fire, call 999 immediately, not the park authority
Respect any temporary access restrictions put in place for public and firefighter safety

The Regional Moorland Groups' Let's Care Moor campaign puts it perfectly: Your Barbecue, their Habitat. It's as simple, and as serious, as that.

One Last Note

This blog post felt important to write. Not everything we cover in Country Files is easy, but some things are too important not to say.

The people who have been out on those moors, night after night, protecting landscapes that generations of countryside lovers have walked, shot and worked across, they aren't doing it for recognition, but they definitely deserve it.

At Hollands, the countryside isn't just a backdrop to what we do, but the whole point, and the people who manage and protect these landscapes are the same people our customers walk alongside, buy kit for, and in many cases, are themselves. That connection matters to us, and moments like this are a reminder of why.

About the Author

Sarah Holland

With her extensive firsthand experience of farm life and a keen eye for quality, Sarah Holland's advice on country clothing reflects her genuine appreciation for the joys and comfort of rural living. Whether it's a smart tweed jacket for a formal occasion or durable wellies for muddy walks, she knows what works for life in the countryside. Sarah loves sharing her knowledge and insights to help others discover the perfect attire for their outdoor lifestyle.