The public has been warned about the risk of uncovered unexploded ordnance after the Langdale Moor fire exposed ‘historic military debris’.
The North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) has reopened the public rights of way which were suspended due to the impacts of the Langdale Moor fire in August, but has urged people to remain vigilant.
In August, a major incident was declared when a fire broke out on Langdale Moor, near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales and, at its height, covered nearly 25 sq km.
Last month, the NYMNPA said:
“The loss of surface peat and vegetation exposed historic military debris.
“While most items are harmless, there is still a risk that unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains present. Disturbing the ground is dangerous, please keep to the path and remain vigilant.”
Part of the site had been used as a tank training ground during the Second World War, and there had been more than 18 explosions as the fire burned down to previously hidden explosives.
RAF Fylingdales, on the North Yorkshire coast in Pickering, provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and US Governments.
Approximately 320 service personnel, Ministry of Defence Police, and civilian staff work at the site.
At a meeting of the North York Moors National Park in December, the authority highlighted that the effects of the Fylingdales Moor wildfire “continue to have a significant impact on our workload and priorities”.
A report stated:
“Our focus has been on the environmental restoration of the land affected as well as public access, as part of the multiagency recovery effort led by the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum.
“A major limiting factor in progressing restoration plans and reinstating public access has been the risks associated with unexploded ordnance on the site. In mid-November, however, NPA officers were able to support an MoD visit to the site, which has concluded that, with appropriate signage, the risks appear no greater than previously across the site area.
“As a result, open access restrictions and rights of way closures were lifted on December 4.”
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