Researchers have developed an innovative system designed to detect and measure the impacts of moorland fires, an initiative coinciding with government proposals aimed at regulating heather and grassland burning in England. This effort comes in response to alarming incidents of air pollution stemming from controlled burns, particularly noted in October 2023 when smoke from prescribed burns in the Peak District enveloped Sheffield for approximately six hours. According to Dr Maria Val Martin from the University of Sheffield, one of the universities involved in the research, the experience proved shocking, recalling her time studying wildfire smoke impacts in the western United States. She stated, “I never expected to encounter similar conditions here in the UK,” a sentiment echoed by many local observers who witnessed the dramatic air quality drop during these controlled burns.

The smoke event in Sheffield highlighted a startling ninefold increase in air particle readings, prompting a wave of concern from local leaders and wildlife organisations. As Dr Val Martin noted, while satellite imagery is useful for detecting burns, its effectiveness is often hampered by cloud cover, underscoring the necessity for ground-based data. The pilot project, named FireUp, combines satellite data with ten strategically placed ground sensors to create a comprehensive monitoring system. This initiative is particularly vital given that during recent dry springs, more than 30 moorland fires have occurred in the Peak District alone, prompting the introduction of fire risk warnings for visitors.

Local authorities have reacted decisively to the harmful effects of these burns. Sheffield City Council Leader Tom Hunt has called for a legislative ban on moorland burning, describing the practice as “destructive” and urging immediate action to protect public health. Reports have estimated that the air pollution resulting from these fires, particularly those associated with game bird shooting, has exceeded UK legal limits by four to eight times, posing serious health risks to residents. This growing concern has led not only to calls for a ban but also to a coordinated effort from local councils and advocacy groups to enforce legal action against landowners whose practices contribute to significant pollution events.

In tandem with the FireUp initiative, the Moors for the Future Partnership has also launched the UK’s first real-time fire risk map, part of its ‘Be Fire Aware’ campaign. This new resource employs weather data and mathematical models to predict fire risks across the moorlands, arming visitors with the information necessary to prevent wildfires. The increasing number of fires has raised critical questions about the management of upland environments and the balance between agricultural practices, such as grouse shooting, and environmental conservation.

As new technological approaches to monitoring air quality and fire risks emerge, the research team’s work reflects a broader acknowledgment that persistent issues surrounding moorland burning must be faced head-on. Having established the infrastructure for real-time monitoring and community engagement, the next phase will include a mobile application that enables residents and visitors to log both wildfires and prescribed burns effectively. Dr Val Martin emphasised that this combines the potential of community reporting with high-resolution scientific data, signifying a comprehensive strategy to address an issue long neglected by policymakers.

The ongoing discourse around moorland burning practices not only highlights the pressing need for innovative monitoring solutions but also calls for a strategic reassessment of upland land management in the context of climate change, public health, and biodiversity preservation. With severe incidents of air pollution impacting millions across regions like Manchester during 2018’s prolonged burns on Winter Hill and Saddleworth Moor, the case for urgent regulatory reform has never been clearer.

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Source: Noah Wire Services