Key Points
- Open‑fire bans may expand across Bolton moorland areas in 2026.
- Council cites rising wildfire risk from recent dry weather spells.
- Local residents and walkers express mixed views on the restrictions.
- Fire and rescue services support stricter control of outdoor fires.
- Consultation underway on possible long‑term by‑law changes.
Bolton (Bolton Today) March 12, 2026 – A temporary ban on open fires on moorland around Bolton could be made permanent in 2026 as authorities warn of increasing wildfire risk after a series of recent dry spells. Officials say that conditions on popular moors such as Winter Hill, Rivington, and Smithills have become more vulnerable to fast‑spreading fires sparked by barbecues, disposable barbecues and other unattended flames, prompting calls for a wider and longer‑term restriction.
The proposed extension of the current emergency order would cover not only the most visible recreational areas but also accessible stretches of moorland used by walkers, runners and dog‑walkers, with enforcement powers for local wardens and fire‑safety officers. Fire and rescue services have reported that many incidents in 2023–2025 were traced back to small outdoor fires that quickly escaped control, often in strong winds, and the 2026 discussions are framed as a preventive measure rather than a reaction to a specific recent blaze.
Authorities stress that the move is not intended to ban all outdoor cooking outright in law‑governed areas, but to tighten where and how open flames can be used, particularly on high‑risk land. The debate has drawn in local councillors, environmental groups and recreational users, each offering different interpretations of how far the current pilot ban should be hardened into a standing rule for future years.
What is the current ban on moorland fires?
The existing restriction was first introduced as a temporary measure by Bolton Council and collaborating agencies following a spike in moorland fires in 2023 and 2024, when several blazes forced the evacuation of nearby properties and disrupted transport routes. As reported by Sarah Bennett of The Bolton News, the council’s initial order applied to clearly defined sections of Winter Hill and adjoining moorland, prohibiting the use of barbecues, campfires, fireworks and other open flames on designated land for a set period during high‑risk weather.
The council cited dry vegetation and gusty winds as key factors, noting that even a small fire could race across peat and gorse in minutes. In statements obtained by BBC Radio Manchester, local authority spokespersons said the temporary ban was “a direct response to the number of near‑misses and actual incidents on the moor” and that the option of extending it to other areas was always under review.
Emergency crews have since told local journalists that the temporary rules have helped reduce the number of reports compared with the same months in previous years, even though the structural risk from climate‑driven dry spells remains. Officials have therefore treated the 2026 timetable as a natural inflection point to decide whether to convert the short‑term order into a broader, more durable policy.
Why are authorities considering an extension?
The push to extend the ban in 2026 is being driven by several overlapping concerns: environmental damage, public‑safety risks, strain on emergency services and long‑term changes in local weather patterns. In a briefing cited by Manchester Evening News reporter Daniel Carter, council officers said that sections of Bolton moorland have recorded lower than average rainfall in several recent summers, leading to more frequent drought‑like conditions that turn peat and heather into highly flammable fuel.
Fire and rescue sources speaking to The Bolton News emphasised that responding to moorland blazes can tie up multiple engines and specialist units for hours, diverting resources from other call‑outs. They argue that limiting the triggers such as disposable barbecues and campfires is a relatively low‑cost way to reduce major incidents compared with the cost of full‑scale firefighting operations.
Environmental groups have also weighed in, warning that repeated fires can damage fragile upland habitats and release carbon stored in peat, undermining regional climate‑targets. In comments relayed by BBC Radio Manchester, a representative from the North West Moorlands Partnership stated that “each burn sets back restoration work by years,” and that stricter fire controls would complement re‑wetting and re‑vegetation schemes already underway.
What might an extended ban look like?
Any extension of the current fire ban in 2026 would likely involve a combination of expanded geographic coverage, longer‑lasting by‑laws and clearer enforcement mechanisms. As reported by The Bolton News, early discussions among council officers and partners have centred on defining a permanent “risk area” around Winter Hill, Rivington, Smithills and other linked moorland tracts, within which certain types of open flame would be prohibited year‑round.
Proposals under consideration include banning disposable single‑use barbecues, restricting the use of larger camping stoves to designated picnic areas, and introducing signage and on‑the‑ground wardens to challenge unsafe behaviour. In commentary relayed by Manchester Evening News, local councillors said that the plan would not seek to outlaw all outdoor cooking, but to channel it toward safer, more controlled locations such as car‑park‑adjacent picnic sites or designated camping grounds.
Enforcement options mentioned in council briefings include issuing fixed‑penalty notices to individuals who light fires in prohibited zones, with higher penalties for repeat offenders. Officers have also suggested streaming patrols by local authority wardens and fire‑safety staff during long‑weekend periods and bank‑holiday weekends, when usage of the moors typically peaks.
How are local people reacting to the plans?
Reaction among residents and regular users of the moorland has been mixed, with some welcoming tighter controls and others warning that an extended ban could feel overly restrictive or poorly communicated. In interviews conducted by BBC Radio Manchester, long‑time walkers and families said they supported the aim of preventing fires but wanted clearer guidance on where picnicking with a small stove would still be allowed.
A group of local runners and trail users, speaking under the name “Bolton Moor Users Forum” to The Bolton News, expressed concern that broad language in any by‑law might criminalise innocuous activities such as using a personal stove for a quick hot drink. They called for a rights‑based licensing approach for low‑risk equipment, rather than a blanket prohibition, and suggested that the council hold a public consultation to clarify acceptable and unacceptable uses.
On the other side of the debate, residents living close to vulnerable slopes welcomed the prospect of a permanent extension. One homeowner interviewed by Manchester Evening News recalled having to evacuate during a 2023 moorland blaze, describing the experience as “terrifying” and saying that stronger rules were “long overdue.”
How is the fire and rescue service involved?
Fire and rescue services have played a central role in shaping the 2026 proposals, providing data on past incidents and risk‑modelling to help define which areas should be prioritised for extended bans. In a statement cited by The Bolton News, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said that the moorland around Bolton has seen a “significant number of small fires” in recent years, many of which escalated quickly once winds picked up.
A senior incident commander speaking to BBC Radio Manchester under a non‑attribution agreement explained that peat fires can smoulder beneath the surface for days, creating hazards long after the visible flames appear to die down. Fire‑safety officers have therefore urged local authorities to combine the proposed ban with community‑awareness campaigns, using signage, social‑media alerts and local‑media outreach to explain what types of equipment to avoid.
The service has also highlighted the logistical challenges of reaching some remote moorland locations, where narrow roads and steep gradients slow the arrival of appliances. In internal briefings shared with councillors, they noted that any reduction in ignition sources could cut both the number of incidents and the time crews spend on protracted ground‑search operations after a fire.
Are there precedents for this kind of ban?
The Bolton discussion sits within a wider national trend of local authorities tightening controls on open fires in upland and coastal areas vulnerable to wildfire. As reported by The Bolton News, several neighbouring councils in Greater Manchester and across the North West have introduced temporary bans during heatwaves or dry spells, and some have begun to consider permanent by‑laws for high‑risk zones.
One frequently cited example is a long‑standing prohibition on fires in certain protected moorland areas in Yorkshire, where local authorities have used existing by‑laws and environmental‑protection regulations to restrict campfires and barbecues. In commentary relayed by Manchester Evening News, local legal experts noted that Bolton could adopt a similar framework under existing powers rather than waiting for new legislation, provided the council undertook proper consultation and risk‑assessment.
Campaigners working with the North West Moorlands Partnership told BBC Radio Manchester that consistent rules across jurisdictions would help prevent people simply moving problem‑behaviour to the nearest “unbanned” stretch of moorland. They have therefore encouraged Bolton to coordinate with surrounding authorities on shared messaging and signage, even if the exact legal wording differs between councils.
What are the legal and planning steps in 2026?
Turning the current temporary fire ban into a longer‑term or even permanent measure in 2026 would require a series of formal steps, including public consultation, risk assessment and, potentially, new or revised by‑laws. As outlined in council documents summarised by The Bolton News, officers have proposed launching a six‑week consultation exercise in early 2026, inviting comments from residents, businesses, and interest groups on the scope and wording of any extended restriction.
Legal advisers cited in Manchester Evening News reports stressed that the council would need to demonstrate that the proposed ban is proportionate, necessary for public safety, and clearly defined so that individuals can understand what is prohibited. They also suggested that exemptions for controlled events, such as organised stargazing gatherings or educational outings, could be carved out if organisers obtain prior permission from the local authority.
Once feedback is received, officers are expected to revise draft by‑laws and present them to the council’s cabinet or relevant committee for approval. If adopted, the extended ban could be enforced through existing local‑government powers or by incorporating the rules into broader countryside‑management or fire‑safety frameworks already in force across the region.