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In pictures: Battling the UK wildfires

As the dry, hot weather continues, firefighters around the country are struggling to control a number of major incidents, in challenging conditions.

Crews from across northern England are continuing to tackle two major moorland fires, at Saddleworth Moor in Tameside, and Winter Hill near Bolton. And fires have started across all parts of Wales in the last week which, senior officers say, is putting "tremendous pressure" on resources.

A view of Winter Hill near Bolton, shows the massive task firefighters are facing to control hundreds of smoking embers.

Getty Images A distant view of Winter Hill near Bolton, shows the massive task firefighters are facing to control hundreds of smouldering embers on 2 July 2018. — A view of Winter Hill near Bolton, shows the massive task firefighters are facing to control hundreds of smoking embers.

Crews attempt to beat out wildfires on Winter Hill which is smouldering in pockets across three sq miles (8 sq km).

AFP Firefighters beat out wildfires on Winter Hill near Rivington in Lancashire, north west England on 1 July 2018. — Crews attempt to beat out wildfires on Winter Hill which is smouldering in pockets across three sq miles (8 sq km).

People in nearby areas have been asked to keep doors and windows closed. Police told walkers and motorists to stay away from the scene at Winter Hill and Scout Road.

Reuters A cyclist looks at smoke rising from a moorland fire at Winter Hill, near Rivington, Britain. — People in nearby areas have been asked to keep doors and windows closed. Police told walkers and motorists to stay away from the scene at Winter Hill and Scout Road.

A firefighter carries a water hose close to the burning moorland at Winter Hill.

Reuters A fire fighter carries a water hose past sheep close to scorched moorland as it burns during a moorland fire at Winter Hill, near Rivington. 1 July 2018 — A firefighter carries a water hose close to the burning moorland at Winter Hill.

Chairman of the Fire Brigades Union in the North West, Gary Keary, said crews were being pushed "to their limits".

Reuters Fire fighters tackle a moorland fire near a building at Winter Hill, near Rivington, on 1 July 2018. — Chairman of the Fire Brigades Union in the North West, Gary Keary, said crews were being pushed "to their limits".

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service first went to the moorland fire on the hill near Bolton at 15:20 BST on Thursday.

PA Fire fighters tackle a wild fire on Winter Hill near Bolton. 28 June 2018. — Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service first went to the moorland fire on the hill near Bolton at 15:20 BST on Thursday.

Winter Hill is part of the West Pennine Moors.

PA Fire fighters tackle a wild fire on Winter Hill near Bolton. Winter Hill is part of the West Pennine Moors. 28 June 2018. — Winter Hill is part of the West Pennine Moors.

The fires on Saddleworth Moor have covered the region in smoke and ash.

Danny Lawson/PA Fire fighters tackle the wildfire on Saddleworth Moor on 28 June 2018. — The fires on Saddleworth Moor have covered the region in smoke and ash.

Firefighters tackling the blaze on Saddleworth Moor take a short break from the testing conditions.

PA Fire fighters tackle the wildfire on Saddleworth Moor on 28 June 2018. — Firefighters tackling the blaze on Saddleworth Moor take a short break from the testing conditions.

Emergency services were called to a forest fire near 30 homes in Braichmelyn, near Bethesda, in Gwynedd, early on Tuesday.

Smoke billows from the forest in Braichmelyn — Emergency services were called to a forest fire near 30 homes in Braichmelyn, near Bethesda, in Gwynedd, early on Tuesday.

Areas of vegetation near Bangor continue to burn.

Simon Murray Smouldering scene from Bangor, Gwynedd — Areas of vegetation near Bangor continue to burn.

Crews fought a mile-long mountain fire at Mynydd Cilgwyn in Carmel, where 15 properties were evacuated on Monday. Here, the charred remains of the scene in Carmel on Tuesday morning.

Charred remains of the scene in Carmel on Tuesday morning — Crews fought a mile-long mountain fire at Mynydd Cilgwyn in Carmel, where 15 properties were evacuated on Monday. Here, the charred remains of the scene in Carmel on Tuesday morning.

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