Woman Charged with Aggravated Arson Over Greater Manchester Moorland Fire

A woman has been charged with arson in connection with a major moorland wildfire that blanketed large parts of Greater Manchester in smoke.

Shania Care‑Slede, 20, of Hyde, was arrested on Monday by Greater Manchester Police in Oldham. She faces two charges: aggravated arson while recklessly endangering life, and dangerous driving.

Firefighters have declared a major incident near Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, where fireworks had been launched shortly before a large moorland fire broke out on Saturday evening.

Care‑Slede appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning. District Judge Simon Blakebrough remanded her in custody until her plea hearing on 18 August at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

It remains unclear whether the fireworks sparked the blaze, although police said they had received a report about the pyrotechnic display.

Large parts of Greater Manchester have been blanketed by strong‑smelling fog and fine layers of ash from three separate wildfires, including a blaze at Conwy Mountain more than 60 miles away in north Wales.

Scientists have warned that the UK is in the middle of a “firewave”, as prolonged heatwaves driven by the climate emergency create ideal conditions for wildfires.

Residents reported that parts of Manchester city centre were shrouded in an orange haze and the smell of burning on Monday night. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advises people in affected areas to “stay indoors where possible and keep windows and doors closed to reduce smoke entering your home”.

Fire services are tackling three large wildfires near Greater Manchester and in north Wales. A major incident was also declared on Sunday at Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire, where a fire that first broke out on 24 June has affected more than 240 hectares (600 acres) of woodland and moorland.

Greater Manchester has also been affected by smoke from the wildfire near Conwy Mountain, where 36 homes were evacuated. On Monday, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had stood down the major incident, though firefighters remain on site to monitor conditions.

Nineteen wildfires are now burning across England and Wales, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council. “When vegetation is this dry, it only takes one spark to start a fire,” said NFCC chair Phil Garrigan.

We are strongly urging everyone to take extra care while enjoying the outdoors. Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, moorland, countryside areas and other open spaces, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and always take litter home.

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