From Fires to Floods

A report of a fire at Foxglove caused concern on Monday. On closer inspection, an area of the conifer plantation was discovered to be alight. After raising the alarm staff (from both Foxglove and Landmarc) and volunteers worked hard to contain the flames until the Fire Service arrived.

The fire had started to catch some of the tree trunks but fortunately it didn't reach the canopy.

It is not known how the fire was started. The weather was warm and breezy and the surrounding forest was tinder dry.

Two fire engines were required to put out the flames.

It was thought that the fire may be smouldering away underground so the job was left open and the firefighters returned on Tuesday morning to check the site.

On Wednesday it had re-started and the team were called back once again to extinguish the flames.

Thankfully the rain today has helped to ensure that the fire has stayed out.

However, the heavy downpour has started to cause different problems. The reed bed has been flattened by the water.

With any luck the reeds may bounce back once they dry out again. The water in Risedale Beck is running brown, full of sediment from the surrounding area. There is no sign yet of it flooding but the rain is forecast to continue over the weekend so there is a risk that it might.

The usual puddles are filling up and most of the wildlife has been sheltering throughout the day.

Our sincere thanks go to Adam, Jez, Martin, Brian and the team of firefighters who worked so hard to save the plantation block and to Elizabeth and Tony for keeping an eye on it since.