Moors blazes 'responsible' for Covid deaths increase

Moors blazes which engulfed vast swathes of moorland above Greater Manchester two years ago could be responsible for an increased death rate among coronavirus victims.

The shocking revelation has been made following ongoing research into the air pollution resulting from the fires in 2018 which raged above Stalybridge and Saddleworth.

The research is referred to by leading politicians who have now signed a joint letter to the Home Secretary calling for the use of disposable barbecues on moorland and peatland to become a criminal offence.

Denton MP Andrew Gwynne is one of five MPs among others to sign the letter seeking severe penalties for those committing such an act.

The letter has been sent two years after the devastating moorland blazes swept across Saddleworth and burned above Stalybridge and in the wake of more recent moorland fires blamed on human activity. 

The issue of air pollution is raised with research this year revealing the impact of smoke and particles clogging the air could now be responsible for an increased death rate among victims of coronavirus.

The signatories also call for increased funding for fire and rescue services to ensure they have the resources they need to effectively tackle moorland fires.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes and four other MPs Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth), Tony Lloyd (Rochdale), Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) and Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) have all signed the letter.

In it they raise the subject of air pollution with ‘numerous reports of ash raining down in Chadderton and Mossley.’

“Research published in March of this year, found that the fires exposed 4.5 million people to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels above the daily World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The research goes on to say that this significantly increased the number of excess deaths in the region,” say the group.  “There is now a growing body of evidence that air pollution has also significantly worsened the Covid-19 outbreak and has increased the number of deaths during the pandemic.”

They conclude: “In summary, we are asking for: New national legislation to make the use of a disposable barbecue on open moorland and peatland a criminal offence carrying a severe penalty. Increased funding for fire and rescue services to ensure they have the resources they need to effectively tackle moorland fires.”