A new all-terrain vehicle to help to fight moorland fires is based at Leyburn Fire Station.

The vehicle’s offroad capability means it can cope with rugged and isolated moorland terrain that standard fire appliances cannot reach. It has a Fogger unit, which is fitted with a fire fogging, water-misting system that can also produce foam.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) said the lighter, agile truck will allow it to respond quickly and effectively to moorland fires in previously hard-to reach areas.

It was bought with a £30,000 contribution from Yorkshire Water, as part of its commitment to the North Yorkshire Wildfire Group (NYWG).

Lisa Harrowsmith, land and property lead surveyor for Yorkshire Water, said: “Our £30,000 contribution towards the all-terrain vehicle and fire fogging unit will support the development and upskilling of wildfire stations in North Yorkshire and enhance our ability to control wildfires.

“This will help to protect the work and management taking place in the uplands which are so important for water quality, flood management, nature, agriculture and the rural economy, which can easily be destroyed by wildfires.”

The new unit is stationed at Leyburn and is an addition to NYFRS’s moorland capability.

Area manager Tom Hirst said: “Over recent years there has been an increase in the number of wildfire incidents attended by fire and rescue services nationally.

“Within our area we have the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and forestry and farm land which are all at risk from fire. These fires, when they do occur, are often unpredictable and can require a lot of fire service resources and time.

“Thanks to the support from Yorkshire Water we have been able to purchase an additional all-terrain vehicle and Wildfire Control misting unit. We now have three wildfire units, one is based at Skipton fire station, one at Kirkbymoorside fire station and the new one is centrally placed at Leyburn fire station, with easy access to road networks to enable it to respond wherever it may be needed within North Yorkshire and York.

“We are extremely grateful for the support from Yorkshire Water as this additional resource will assist us in dealing with wildfire incidents to protect the local environment and communities.”

Members of NYWG include Yorkshire Water, NYFRS, Nidderdale National Landscape, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North York Moors National Park, Natural England and The Moorland Association.

Their partnership work includes producing fire plans and maps for specifically designated rural areas, and developing joint working practices and operating procedures to create an effective response to wildfires.