A ban on barbecues, campfires and other activities on the moorland above the borough is almost a reality after it was approved by Bolton Council.
The ban is an attempt by the authorities to prevent a repeat of the Winter Hill wildfire which raged for more than a month around five years ago.
In the aftermath of the blaze, Bolton Council collaborated with the councils in Blackburn and Chorley, as well as the emergency services for these areas, on a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
It consulted on the idea over the course of one month last year and it received support from more than 98 per cent of respondents.
READ MORE: Winter Hill on the road to recovery five years after wildfire.
Ady Taylor, a station manager and wildfire lead for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said: "Year-on-year the risk of wildfires in Bolton is ever present. Every year fire destroys the countryside and the wildlife across Greater Manchester and we are presented with challenges in responding to incidents when they do occur, but also in educating people about the danger of wildfires and in preparing our response.
"This year alone I am aware of numerous incidents involving groups of young people taking disposable barbecues into these areas.
"A lot of the time they don’t realise the risks and do heed the advice when asked to put them out, however we can’t always be there.
"One fire in the right conditions, whether it be disposable barbecues left unattended or campfires not put out properly, could easily develop into a major incident. We need to take as many preventative steps as possible to reduce the likelihood of wildfires in Bolton."
READ MORE: Winter Hill wildfire remembered almost five years on.
On July 18 the PSPO was approved by cabinet member for regulatory services Sue Haworth. It means there are set to be fines for those in breach from £100 if resolved on the spot to £1000 if resolved in court.
However it cannot come into action until it is approved by the councils in Blackburn and Chorley. The Bolton News understands these decisions are due later in the year.
This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
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