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North York Moors Wildfire Reveals Military Debris Hazards

1/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A wildfire on the North York Moors exposed military debris, including unexploded ordnance, after burning for over a month in August.
The fire was the park's largest on record.
Footpaths reopened in December.
The North York Moors National Park Authority warns visitors to stay on paths and avoid touching metal objects.
The landscape remains fragile, with peat damage and archaeology at risk of erosion in wet conditions, as assessments continue.

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Story summary

A wildfire on the North York Moors exposed military debris, including unexploded ordnance, after burning for over a month in August.
The fire was the park's largest on record.
Footpaths reopened in December.
The North York Moors National Park Authority warns visitors to stay on paths and avoid touching metal objects.
The landscape remains fragile, with peat damage and archaeology at risk of erosion in wet conditions, as assessments continue.