Woman, 20, denies arson after large moorland fire in Greater Manchester

A 20-year-old woman has denied arson after a large moorland fire in Greater Manchester.

Shania Care-Slede pleaded not guilty to a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and one of arson being reckless as to whether property was destroyed.

The charges allege that she "destroyed moorland belonging to United Utilities" near Dovestone Reservoir on 11 July.

Care-Slede, who appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on video link, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving, also on 11 July.

Judge Tina Landale set a provisional trial date of 17 May next year.

The court heard four other suspects had been arrested, interviewed and were expected to be charged.

The fire was declared a major incident, which was stood down after more than three weeks.

Record temperatures and a lack of rain have left firefighters in England, Wales and Scotland under pressure in recent weeks as they were forced to tackle multiple blazes.

Read more from Sky News:
Double killer jailed for '£5 row' murder
World's oldest person turns 117

The situation led to an emergency alert being sent to millions of mobile phones across England and Wales warning of the risk of wildfires - the biggest use yet of the government's emergency alert system.

Last week, the prime minister Andy Burnham said Britain was a "tinderbox" and urged retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues to try and prevent new fires.

Despite wetter weather in some parts of the country in recent days, the Environment Agency has warned that rainfall totals in all regions of England remain below average.

(c) Sky News 2026: Woman, 20, denies arson after large moorland fire in Greater Manchester