Heather could bring luck to moorland devastated by fire

more than 1,500 bags of heather brash are being spread on Ilkley Moor to regenerate heather badly damaged by fire.

The moor was devastated by a blaze which engulfed the land in summer 2006.

Four hundred acres of the moor were destroyed by the fire, which was the moor’s biggest blaze for around two decades, moving east from Rivock Edge and Addingham Moor towards Ilkley.

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It broke out during a heatwave and firefighters battled for a week to bring the blaze under control.

It will take years for the acres of moorland to be fully restored to their former glory.

Some areas of the moorland have recovered well but the brash – which is cut heather containing seeds – will to help regenerate those areas that need a bit of help.

Nigel Graham, Administrator for the Higher Level Stewardship scheme for Ilkley Moor said yesterday: “The brash will be spread over 25 acres of the most damaged area following the wildfire in July 2006.

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“The brash will enhance the heather seed bank and will help to regenerate the area near Keighley Old Road.

“The majority of the fire damaged area has recovered well but this is to give this particular area a helping hand.”

The brash was cut on Dallowgill Moor, near Ripon.

The scheme is funded by Natural England.

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