Fire on the Fells

In the middle of the afternoon there were a series of resounding thunderclaps that echoed around the valley. About 10 minuets later we had a phone call from  a sharp eyed person down at the pitch and putt green in Keswick, who said they could see smoke rising from somewhere on the slope of Grisedale Pyke. Probably lightening strike ignition. We rushed out to look at the skyline, where the forest runs up very close to the ridge, and indeed there was a trickle of smoke, nearly invisible against the grey clouded sky. And then a puff of blacker smoke. Time to call the fire brigade!
Our youngest, fittest Ranger leapt into the truck and made his way up the forest roads to the nearest access point to the fell ridge and then ran the remaining ascent to ascertain exactly where the fire was and how big.
Meanwhile, one of our other Rangers stood by to direct the fire fighters when they arrived. 
For those watching, the smoke seemed intermittent, which gave hope that it hadn't taken hold. If it ate back over the ridge, or sparks hit the forest the whole hillside would go up in flames. The first fire engine from Workington arrived in record time, wailing its way up the pass and hard on its heels two crack fire fighting teams from Ulverston. 
Fortuitously, because of the quick reactions of many people reporting and responding, the fire was put out in a relatively short space of time and caused minimal damage. 
It was a heart -stopping interval though!