A MOORLAND fire near the Otterburn military base remains under control despite burning for a third week.

A Northumberland Fire Service spokesman said they were continuing to liaise with the MOD.

“We sent four appliances to the site over the weekend to tackle a fire near Yardhope, but it’s since greatly reduced in size due to the rain earlier this week.”

“It currently remains under control by the MOD,” he said.

And despite previous claims, the fires have never spread outside of the MOD firing zone.

Major Frank O’Kane, said: “Whilst the fire continues to produce a lot of smoke, the smouldering isn’t as bad as it seems.”

Army officers met with the fire brigade on Friday, July 13, and carried out a controlled burning of an area near Yardhope on Wednesday to prevent further fires near the area.

Firefighters also continued to monitor another wildfire fire this week in Prestwick, near Ponteland, with daily visits to check for any hot spots.