Walkers in beautiful UK national park warned of ‘unexploded devices’

Walkers in a UK national park have been urged to “remain vigilant” due to the risk of “unexploded ordnance”. It comes after a wildfire in the area exposed “historic military debris” last year.

A major incident was declared after the blaze broke out in North York Moors in August. The fire, which covered ten square miles near RAF Fylingdales, lasted more than a month and was the largest in the park’s history. Although it has since reopened to the public, the North York Moors National Park Authority is continuing to advise ramblers to be careful.

As reported by The Times, a spokesman said: “The loss of surface peat and vegetation has exposed further historic military debris. While most items are harmless, there is still a risk that unexploded ordnance remains present. Disturbing the ground is dangerous, please keep to the path and remain vigilant.”

North York Moors adds on its website: “While most of these items are harmless, there remains a serious risk that unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains present. Disturbing the ground is extremely dangerous, please keep to the path and remain vigilant.”

The area was used as a military training ground in World War Two. Soldiers used the moor for infantry tactics, tank gunnery ranges and as a mortar range before a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) was built in the Cold War.

The intense heat of the blaze last summer detonated over 20 hidden explosive devices which had lain dormant beneath the ground. There have been no further explosions since the major incident was stepped down in September.

The Ministry of Defence said a bomb disposal team found “various World War Two-era unexploded ordnance items”. At the time, they described the devices as “inert practice projectiles”.

The park said in a meeting in December: “A major limiting factor in progressing restoration plans and reinstating public access has been the risks associated with unexploded ordnance on the site.

“In mid-November, however, [park] officers were able to support an MoD visit to the site, which has concluded that, with appropriate signage, the risks appear no greater than previously across the site area. As a result, open access restrictions and rights of way closures were lifted on December 4.”