Why we don’t use controlled burning on Marsden Moor

A volunteer uses binoculars to look over Marsden Moor on a sunny day — Rangers and volunteers help us patrol the moors during sunny weather. | © National Trust/Tom Harman

We’re working hard to protect Marsden Moor from future fires and there are many ways to do this. Discover some of the methods we use to protect the peatland.

Report a wildfire, dangerous or suspicious behaviour

If you see someone using a BBQ, campfire, or firework on moorland, call 999 and ask for fire. Use what3words to share your location. If you see smoke or suspect a fire, call 999 and ask for fire—don't assume it's already reported.

If you suspect someone of arson

For suspicious activity or suspected arson, call 999 and ask for the police. Try to get a description of the person if you are able to. You can report any suspicious behaviour or concerns you might have after an incident to Crimestoppers. You can report anonymously online or call 0800 555 111

Other upland sites burn, why not here?

Many people ask why controlled burning is carried out on other upland sites but not on Marsden Moor. Marsden Moor is an area of deep peat, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area, designated for its ground nesting bird populations and blanket bog habitat and holding over one million tons of carbon within the peat.

Uplands have been used and managed by people in different ways over thousands of years. Today, the climate and nature crises are the biggest challenges we face, and our uplands are a vital tool in reversing declines in nature and helping reduce the impact of climate change.

Protecting the peat

We are working to protect the peat on Marsden Moor estate, so the carbon stays in the ground. Healthy, waterlogged peatlands trap and store carbon. They are one of our greatest weapons in the fight against climate change, provide vital habitat for some of our most threatened plant and animal species, and preserve unique archaeological and palaeoecological records. The peat on Marsden Moor measures over 500cm in depth at some points, with most of the site classed as deep peat.

We work closely with partners including Natural England, academic institutions, DEFRA, the fire service and neighbouring landowners to manage vegetation and fuel load in line with best practice guidance and the latest scientific evidence.

What techniques do we use?

Find out more about the techniques we use on Marsden Moor to help protect this captivating landscape.

A cut in the vegetation runs through the middle of the image with the left side blackened by fire — A cut in the vegetation slowing the spread of fire on Pule Hill | © National Trust Images/ Kate Divey-Matthews

Vegetation Breaks

We use machinery to cut fire breaks, areas of vegetation that have been cut or mown, that help reduce the spread of fire and can be used as control lines during a wildfire incident, providing good locations from which to start firefighting activities. Using this specialist machinery gives us good control over the areas we cut and allows us to reduce the impact on the habitat and wildlife. We plant sphagnum moss a plant that helps to hold water in the areas that have been cut, which further helps to reduce a fire’s ability to spread. These vegetation breaks are cut in strategic points on the moors such as near footpaths and along road edges.

Two sheep stand in the moorland eating grass — Sheep grazing on White Moss, Marsden Moor Yorkshire | © National Trust Images/ Robert Morris

Grazing the moor to reduce the amount of material

Grazing has been excluded in parts of the moor to give the restoration interventions time to work and allow the bare peat to recover and revegetate. However, we work in partnership with Natural England and the Marsden Moor commoners and grazing is being increased on parts of the moor. In the longer term, all parts of the moor will be grazed by sheep and cattle. Grazing moorlands is not only an important part of commoners’ agricultural businesses but an important management tool for nature conservation. The Marsden Moor commoners are vital for the future of Marsden Moor.

A peat bund which is a pool that holds water on peatland as a form of natural flood management, installed near Gorpley Reservoir. — A peat bund near Gorpley Reservoir | © National Trust/Rosie Holdsworth

Rewetting the moorland

Blocking gullies, building leaky dams, planting sphagnum moss and placing bunds help to keep water on the moorland. These techniques help to reduce the risk, spread and severity of fire by keeping the water table as high as possible. This also helps to create the right environment for peat to begin forming on the moorland, locking away carbon as it does so.

1 of 3

Fire prevention education

All moorland fires are caused by people, through carelessness or intent, so our focus is on education and having a ranger presence on the ground during fire season. We work closely with the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police, Kirklees Council,Holme Valley Mountain Rescue and neighbouring landowners to raise awareness of the dangers of moorland fires and the ban on barbecues and open fires on Marsden Moor. Find out more about our work to protect Marsden Moor from fires.