1.8 Summary of conclusions

1.8.1    The area of general fire origin is a small opening near to the where the River Derwent and the forest meet, South of the river and Fylingdales Moor.  There were no other credible sources of ignition found or evidence of other causes of fire located which would explain the area and damage sustained.

1.8.2    In my opinion the cause of fire is cooking using a naked flame such as a campfire or gas burner.

1.8.3    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.  Limited/difficult access to the fire meant that firefighting and containment tactics were challenging to put in place. The fire spread quickly due to dry vegetation and other environmental factors such as wind, humidity and topography