M62 traffic RECAP: Chaos as accident and fires spark ‘stay away’ warning

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According to Yorkshire Post, firefighters remained at the scene overnight as they battled to contain the blaze which reached a huge length of 3km.

The moorland blaze near the M62, had a 50-metre active flame front and multiple hotspots which were still burning into the night.

Terrifying footage showed huge plumes of smoke billowing over the nearby M62 as the flames raged, with people urged to "avoid the area" and major roads nearby closed.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service took to X to post an image of the fire.

Calder Valley MP Josh Fenton-Glynn has posted that the A672 Oldham Road will remain closed both ways between Junction 22 and Rishworth New Road in Ripponden for the rest of today and tonight – and possibly even longer.

He said: “This afternoon I’ve received a further update from the West Yorkshire Fire Service district commander on the ongoing fire on the moorland near Ripponden, and I’ve been informed that to protect people’s safety and ensure that the fire service are able to maintain access to tackle the fire, the decision has been taken to keep Oldham Road closed until tomorrow.

The Oldham Road remains closed due to the fire. Crews remain at the scene of the blaze.

We will continue to keep you updated.

A stretch of the M62 westbound carriageway is shut on Friday afternoon after a crash.

The motorway is closed from junction 19 for Heywood and junction 18 for Simister Island.

There is also another incident on the M62 causing travel delays, with all traffic temporarily held around junction 23, for Huddersfield, and junction 22, for Rishworth Moor.

A live traffic map shows congetsion on the M62 this afternoon. Motorists should expect delays.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a recent update: "We currently have six crews, and six supporting wildfire units at the scene. Firefighters are continuing to work hard in hot and challenging conditions to tackle the fire.

"The equipment currently in use is, the argocats, beaters, backpacks and fogging units. Please continue to avoid the area, further updates will follow." 

The fire service has confirmed that the spread of the fire is slowing.

We will continue to keep you updated on the situation.

Smoke could be seen billowing into the air near on Thursday afternoon. The fire stretched an area of around 6km.

A total of 18 fire crews were in attendance at the height of the blaze on Thursday. Crews from Slaithwaite, Halifax and Todmorden were the first to be sent.

They used specialist wildfire equipment, including two all-terrain Argocat vehicles, to fight the blaze.

A water relay, large jets, blowers, beaters and backpacks were also used.

A dramatic video shows the extent of the blaze on Thursday afternoon.

Fire crews remain at the scene on Friday morning.

A picture shows plumes of smoke at the scene of the moor fire. The blaze broke out near  Oldham Road in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, at 12.15pm on Thursday.

According to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the cause of the blaze is not yet known. They added that there were no reports of any people involved.

Local road closures remain in place on Friday morning and people should avoid the area.

Multiple crews remain at the scene of the blaze this morning. People have been urged to avoid the area.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says: "Fire development has remained steady overnight. The area covered is approximately 3km by 2km with an active 50 meter flame front. There are multiple hotspots across this area.

"Crews remain working at the scene this morning to prevent further flare ups and to target hot spots. Please continue to avoid the area."

Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports: "A672 Oldham Road in both directions closed due to serious fire between M62 J22 (Rishworth Moor, Denshaw) and Rishworth New Road (Rishworth)."

A live traffic map from the AA shows a road closure in place near the M62 on Friday morning.

The A672 is shut in both directions and motorists are being urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

A picture from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service shows the aftermath of the moor blaze.

A picture sent to Manchester Evening News shows the extent of the fire. Plumes of smoke and flames were visible from the M62.

WYFRS said in a recent statement: "Seven crews and supporting units remain at the scene this morning after continuing to monitor and tackle the fire overnight.

"Crews and partner agencies will continue their work this morning.

"Please continue to avoid the area. Further updates will follow."

According to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), seven crews remain at the scene of the fire on Friday morning.

The blaze broke out near the M62 shortly after midday on Thursday. It continued to tear through Rishworth morth throughout the evening, with up to 18 crews tackling the fire at its peak.

Welcome to our live blog. We will be keeping you updated on the M62 situation throughout the day.