Sparks From Bullets Start Grassland Blazes At Firing Range

Cover picture: Darren Mitchell/Twitter

Sparks from bullets have started two grassland blazes at a large firing range in Northumberland, the Army has confirmed.

While personnel have been sent to Saddleworth Moor to tackle the moorland blazes, the fires at Otterburn will be allowed to burn out and "under no circumstances will personnel be sent into the artillery impact area to put out fires", according to the Army.

The artillery area contains, potentially, over 100 years of unexploded ordnance.

The fires, which are about one square kilometre in size each, are being monitored.

According to reports, they are 15km apart and started on Sunday. 

The area affected is within the Otterburn training area, the second largest firing range in the country, but should that change the fire brigade would be brought in to contain the blazes.

An Army spokesperson said that, unless the fire spreads beyond the artillery impact area, there is no risk to life, property or military training.

The statement also said: "The fire on Otterburn Training Area has greatly reduced and is now limited to a small part of the artillery impact area where it will be left to burn out; military training continues."

Since Thursday night, a ban has been raised on any ammunition that can cause a fire.