Dramatic footage has emerged on social media this week, showing farmers in the UK battling blazes to bring a flock of sheep to safety following an extensive moor fire in England.

Posted on Facebook by James Needham – who assisted in the rescue operation – the video below shows a farmer and his friends racing across Saddleworth Moor, in the greater Manchester region of England, to try and rescue a flock of sheep before the recent extensive moor fire got to them.

As can be seen in the footage, the farmers – with sheepdogs in tow – cross through billowing smoke and smouldering turf in search of the stranded sheep.

The original video was accompanied with the line: “Being chased by rain clouds whilst gathering a moor is one thing; being chased by fire is something else.”

Needham went on to explain that the group was successful in rounding up the sheep – numbering between 300 and 400.

Commenting to AgriLand, Needham said: “We certainly saved most of them, but there are odd ewes appearing with some burns.”

Army deployed in Straddleworth

Meanwhile, the UK Ministry for Defence issued a statement confirming that the army was deployed yesterday to assist in controlling the ravaging flames on Straddleworth Moor.

According to the statement, approximately 100 soldiers from 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland were deployed to support the Great Manchester Fire & Rescue Service operation responding to the Saddleworth Moor fires.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I pay tribute to our armed forcesā€™ professionalism, dedication and sense of duty.”

The troops deployed overnight from their barracks in Catterick, the department said.

Operating out of a nearby Army Training Centre, they were instructed to assist the effort to control and reduce the fire – undertaking tasks such as the management of water lines, fire beating and providing general support where required.