5.0  Summary of conclusions

5.1       I am of the opinion that the fire was started through cooking with a naked flame, potentially a campfire or gas burner to heat and prepare food and drink.

5.2       The fire started in a small clearing near to the where the River Derwent and the forest meet, South of the river and Fylingdales Moor on the Northern edge of the forest.

5.3       The fire spread from this area underground into the peat which covers the whole area, in some areas up to 50cm deep and spread into the surrounding vegetation which included thick bracken and heather to the North near the river and coniferous and deciduous trees of varying ages and sizes to the South.  The Fire subsequently reached the edges of the forest and breached the fire breaks, spreading into more forestry and onto the moorland North of the River Derwent.