Glaisdale farmer who braved 40ft flames in Langdale Moor fire honoured for community efforts

A Glaisdale farmer who risked his life helping firefighters tackle the devastating Langdale Moor fire has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to local communities.

Chris Ford, 33, from Glaisdale, was among eight people honoured at this year’s BBC Radio York Make a Difference Awards, receiving the Great Neighbour Award.

Farmer Chris Ford used his tractor and water tanker to help firefighters tackle wildfires on the North York Moors in August last year.

placeholder image — Farmer Chris Ford used his tractor and water tanker to help firefighters tackle wildfires on the North York Moors in August last year.

Chris was one of several farmers who rallied to help during the serious Langdale Moor fire which took place in August last year. He worked alongside firefighters to deliver thousands of gallons of water to the flames using tractors and tankers.

Their efforts helped protect residents, homes and farm buildings from the devastating blazes.

Chris Ford, from Glaisdale, was among eight people recognised at the BBC Radio York Make a Difference Awards for his efforts helping firefighters tackle the Langdale Moors fire.

Chris initially answered a call for help from the agricultural community to tackle a fire off the Whitby to Scarborough Road. Once it was under control, he spent several weeks supporting firefighters battling the Langdale Moor fire – the biggest fire in the history of the North York Moors National Park.

Nicknamed ‘water boy’, Chris showed incredible bravery while coordinating the effort from farmers.

During the operation, Chris faced many dangerous conditions. In one incident, Chris found himself driving straight through a wall of fire, with flames reaching 40ft and covering his tractor windows, leaving him unable to see the road ahead.

Chris said: “All of a sudden, every tractor window was covered in flames. There were 40 foot high flames surrounding me. You couldn’t see the road, couldn’t see anything…I honestly didn’t think I was getting out of that.” "I try to help with anything I can. I just felt like I was doing what needed to be done like everybody else there was doing. It was a huge team effort.

"We don’t really think what we did was very special. But when you stop and think, every single person that was there stopped that fire from getting to those villages, stopped it damaging any farms, it’s a massive achievement.

"Nobody died and nobody lost their house which for a fire of that size was unbelievable.”

Since the fires, Chris has developed a gadget to make it easier for firefighters to draw water from farm tankers. He has also attended a wildfire event at Downing Street.

His award recognises the bravery, teamwork and community spirit shown by Chris and the other farmers who put themselves at risk to help protect others.