The fire destroyed a large area of heather. Photo: Keswick MRT

The fire destroyed a large area of heather. Photo: Keswick MRT

Two mountain rescue teams were called in to help firefighters tackling a large wildfire in the Lake District.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue was called out to the blaze in Mosedale about 11.10am on Tuesday and specialist wildfire teams fought the fire on Coombe Height, north of Blencathra.

Volunteers from Keswick and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams were also requested to help carry equipment and refreshments up and down the steep slopes to fire crews. The rescuers also provided radio communications in the area, which is a dead area for signals.

A Keswick MRT spokesperson said it was believed the fire was started by a discarded barbecue.

The spokesperson said: “The strong winds on the hill rapidly fanned the flames, and at one point approximately 22ha [54 acres] were ablaze. Given that it had been a long period without rain, water supplies were poor, eventually a decision was made to withdraw, and regroup in the morning.

“Cockermouth MRT were lined up as replacements for the morning but in the event the fire receded, and the fire service coped with it without support.”

The incident involved 16 Keswick and seven Penrith team members for up to eight hours.

Firefighters used beaters and water-carrying backpacks to tackle the blaze. Photo: Keswick MRT

Firefighters used beaters and water-carrying backpacks to tackle the blaze. Photo: Keswick MRT

Cumbria Fire and Rescue said its wildfire teams used beaters and water from backpacks to put out the flames.

It said 100ha (247 acres) of heather were destroyed in the blaze. Station manager Adrian Holme said: “It took six of our wildfire teams, who were supported by mountain rescue, Bay Search and Rescue and Natural England, to extinguish the fire.

“Thankfully the weather was on our side today, but the crews worked extremely hard and in difficult conditions to fight this fire.”

The fire service said its crews would continue to monitor the area for flare-ups.

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