Shocking photos show the extent of second wildfire in the north of England

A second fire has been declared a major incident in the north of England, just days after an “apocalyptic” fire raged a week on Saddleworth Moor, near Manchester. 

The blaze at Winter Hill, near Bolton, has been burning for five days and reports say up to 100 firefighters from across the country have been called in to deal with the fire. 

Firefighters tackle a wildfire on Winter Hill near Bolton.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) declared a major incident on Sunday morning after the Winter Hill wildfire merged with a separate hillside fire to the northwest of Bolton due to strong winds. 

Firefighters tackle a wildfire on Winter Hill near Bolton. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)

According to the BBC, 17 fire engines were on the scene at Winter Hill “overnight from Sunday into Monday” and LFRS said “full firefighting operations” were in operation at day break. 

Per a LFRS tweet, the number of fire engines at the scene was increased as of first thing this morning. “At first light this morning, the number of fire engines at the scene increased to 22 from 17 overnight,” reads the tweet. 

Firefighters beat out wildfires on Winter Hill near Rivington in Lancashire, north west England on July 1, 2018. – Firefighters in northern England launched a “large-scale attack” on a new moorland blaze July 1, 2018, as emergency responders continued to battle another nearby wildfire that has been burning all week. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)

The fire service tweeted footage taken from the top of Winter Hill early this morning, where crews were “beating down hot spots.” 

One local fire station tweeted that it had “lost count of how many hours” they had spent “up on the hills and the moors.” They thanked locals for their support that has spurred them on, “be it a kind word shouted from a passing car or donated refreshments.” 

Lancashire Police warned members of the public to avoid Winter Hill as the fires raged on, but one man had to be rescued after collapsing at Pike Tower. 

Firefighters tackle a wildfire on Winter Hill near Bolton. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)

“We’re really concerned that members of the public are heading up onto the moors. We really appreciate your offer to help but public safety is a priority and we ask people to stay away,” read one tweet posted by LFRS. 

Firefighters tackle a wildfire on Winter Hill near Bolton. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)

Residents have been warned to keep windows and doors shut until the fire is under control.