Footpaths have reopened and access restrictions have been lifted on the North York Moors after a major wildfire earlier this year..
North Yorks Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) says open access restrictions and rights of way closures are no longer in place on Langdale Moor near RAF Fylingdales.
The fire started on August 11 and burned intensely for several weeks before continuing to smoulder for over a month.
Around 5,000 acres of peatland were affected.
The task of tackling the fire was made more difficult due to the presence of Second World War unexploded ordnance on the moor.
More than 20 explosions of military devices were reported during the fire.
NYMNPA chief executive Tim Hind is due to give an update on the fire to members of the authority next week.
He said in a report prepared ahead of the meeting that the wildfire continued to have a significant impact on the organisation’s workload and priorities.
He added: “Our focus has been on the environmental restoration of the land affected as well as public access, as part of the multi-agency recovery effort led by the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum.
“A major limiting factor in progressing restoration plans and reinstating public access has been the risks associated with unexploded ordnance on the site.
“In mid-November, however, national park authority officers were able to support an MoD visit to the site which has concluded that, with appropriate signage, the risks appear no greater than previously across the site area.”
Mr Hind said that as a result, open access restrictions and rights of way closures were lifted on December 4.
The senior officer said funding from various sources, including the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency had been provided for restoration work on the moorland.
“At all stages, through the Recovery Co-ordination Group, we have worked closely with local stakeholders, including farmers and landowners,” he said, adding that officers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government had visited the moor to assess damage and discuss the reinstatement of firebreaks.
The rights of way that have been reopened include the Coast to Coast and Lyke Wake Walk routes.
Visitors are being urged to remain on designated paths to support the environmental recovery of the area.
North Yorkshier Council says there have been no further explosions since the fire response was stepped down in September, but the loss of surface peat and vegetation has exposed further historic military debris.
Officials say that while most of these items are harmless, there remains a serious risk from unexploded ordnance and the public should not touch any of the items.
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