Moor project to reduce risk of severe wildfires

The risk of severe wildfires could be cut by reducing the dominance of a moorland grass that leaves the landscape vulnerable to outbreaks, according to researchers. A trial project on Penistone Hill in Haworth is examining how molinia - a purple moor grass - could be managed to encourage biodiversity and reduce the risk of fires.

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"Also generally when you see molinia-dominated areas, they are quite uniform in structure and height - so that just makes wildfire spread quicker and easier across the site." Molinia also dominates the moorland because it returns faster than other plants after a fire, making it harder for the moss layer - which is better at holding on to moisture - to return.

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The researchers are examining how different conservation techniques could affect the recovery of blanket bog, and how grass management techniques could be improved. The project is a combined effort between Bradford Council, which manages the land, Yorkshire Water, which owns the land and Natural England, which is funding the scheme.

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This will continue for the next year so the researchers can understand the effect of a variety of weather conditions, then in spring 2027 the on-ground conservation work will begin.