After a chilly spell, Rochdale is set to bask in weekend sunshine with temperatures reaching 21°C today, but fire services are urging the public to enjoy the heat responsibly to avoid moorland wildfires.
Rochdale residents are enjoying a return to warm weather this weekend after a dramatic dip in temperatures following the hottest start to May on record. Saturday is expected to peak at 21°C, with Sunday forecast to climb slightly higher to 23°C, following overnight lows of around 7°C.
Earlier this week, temperatures had dipped as low as 3°C overnight on Tuesday, with some areas reporting light frost. Daytime highs hovered between 15°C and 18°C through the bank holiday weekend and into midweek. Today’s rise in temperatures marks the start of a settled, dry spell set to continue into the coming week.
Sunshine is forecast to continue into Monday and Tuesday, with highs remaining around the 20°C mark and clear skies expected throughout. By Thursday, when Rochdale AFC host Southend United in a Vanarama National League promotion play-off eliminator at the Crown Oil Arena, warm and dry weather is predicted to hold steady, ensuring favourable conditions for fans.
However, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has renewed its call for the public to act responsibly outdoors, especially on moorlands, following a sharp rise in wildfire incidents across the region.
Firefighters this week demonstrated their wildfire response tools at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir near Stalybridge, highlighting the risks of disposable barbecues and discarded cigarettes, which have already led to dozens of fire incidents across Greater Manchester in 2025.
Station Manager Martin Cain warned: “Every time we have a fire on the moors, it causes significant damage to the environment, to wildlife, and to local communities. One of the biggest causes is people using fire inappropriately.”
GMFRS has launched its “Be Moor Aware” campaign and showcased specialist Hagglund all-terrain vehicles, capable of scaling hillsides and carrying hoses and blowers to control fires in remote areas. But fire bosses cautioned that there are only two of these vehicles in Greater Manchester, meaning response capacity is limited.
They are urging people to:
- Avoid using barbecues on balconies or moorlands
- Keep barbecues off the ground and away from hazards
- Let all ashes cool fully before disposal – never put hot remains in bins
The public can report deliberate fire-setting anonymously via https://www.FirestoppersReport.co.uk while school outreach and community engagement are underway to educate people about the dangers.
Chief Inspector Tim Rudd from Greater Manchester Police, who also attended Thursday’s demonstration, said the force works closely with GMFRS to ensure public safety and support evacuations or criminal investigations when needed.
Wildfires not only destroy landscapes but increase the risk of flash flooding, pollute the air, and harm wildlife and farming. Following the 2018 Saddleworth Moor fire, particle pollution increased by more than 300% in parts of Greater Manchester and spread as far as Liverpool and Wigan, according to an IOP Science study.
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