M62 chaos as massive moor fire breaks out with residents warned 'avoid the area'

A huge moor fire has sent smoke billowing across a major motorway - sparking warnings for people to avoid the area.

The blaze has broken out close to the M62 near Ripponden, West Yorkshire, with smoke drifting over to the Saddleworth area of Greater . The fire has spread to an area 2kms long.

At total of 18 crews of firefighters are now at the scene, the number having been increased from eight earlier in the afternoon following the spread of the fire amid the warm, dry .

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Firefighters are using specialised wildfire equipment to tackle the blaze. A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 12.15 this afternoon to reports of a moorland fire near Oldham Road in Ripponden.

"We currently have eight crews plus several supporting units at the scene. They are using our wildfire equipment including beaters and blowers to tackle the fire which is currently around 2 km in length. People are requested to avoid the area."

In an updated statement, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "There are now 18 crews at the scene tackling the fire, including support from our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

"We also have support from our colleagues at the Highways Agency, West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

"This is a large fire and crews are tackling it in very hot, dry conditions, please do your part and continue to avoid the area. Further updates will follow."

A spokesman said: “They are using beaters and blowers to tackle the blaze, alongside our other moorland firefighting equipment.

"We are asking the public to avoid the area due to the blaze. Further updates will follow."

The motorway currently remains open to traffic. Photographs showed a large plume of smoke passing behind the M62.