HELICOPTERS were today dropping thousands of litres of water on North Yorkshire moorland as a massive fire entered its third day.

More than 100 firefighters were tackling the fire, burning on Fylingdales moor, near Robin Hood's Bay.

Two more homes were evacuated overnight as a precaution against heavy smoke, but residents were later given the option to return home.

Divisional officer Steve Cluderay said: "We are fighting the fire defensively at the moment. The helicopter is operating offensively, but we are making sure firefighters on the ground are not putting themselves at risk."

DO Cluderay said he expected firecrews to be on the scene all day today.

He added: "It is highly likely, although it depends on the weather."

No one has been injured in the fire, believed to have been started by a carelessly discarded cigarette or disposable barbecue.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said the A171 moors road was likely to re-open today.

The fire service said the blaze was a good distance away from RAF Fylingdales - the top secret early warning radar station on the North York Moors.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, September 19, 2003