Firefighters and partner agencies are continuing to extinguish hotspots on Arnfield Moor, the final remaining sector of the Tintwistle Moor wildfire. Two other sectors, Featherbed Moss and Crowden, were handed back to landowners on Thursday.
The major incident, declared on 12 July, was stood down on 3 August, after the fire burned for over a month. It devastated 606 hectares (1,497 acres) of the Peak District near Tintwistle, and an additional 90 hectares (220 acres) were alight near Dovestone Reservoir.
Livestock farmer Nicola Naylor, who watched the blaze from Blackshaw Farm, believes the wildfire was "almost certainly" started by a person. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service's wildfire lead, Mark King, said that "fires like this are likely caused by human behaviour, whether accidental or deliberate", but added that the exact cause of the Tintwistle Moor fire may never be established due to its scale and difficult terrain.
Earlier this week, 71.3% of England was declared to be in drought, following the driest July since records began in 1836. The RSPB, which manages the affected areas, maintains a no-burning policy, stating that evidence suggests burning is harmful to peat and its ability to be re-wet. However, some farmers and land managers advocate for controlled burns as a preventative measure.