Moor fire warning to walkers

10:13am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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WALKERS and picnickers are being urged to be careful on Bury's moorland.

As the warm weather continues, an increasing number of people are heading out into the tinderbox-dry countryside.

But with the sun comes an increased risk of moorland fires and firefighters, who last week tackled a blaze at Edenfield, are asking people to be vigilant.

Borough fire commander Kevan Whitehead said: "At this time of year any period of dry and sunny weather can result in higher numbers of grass fires, which have caused large scale incidents. Please bear this in mind when on moorland or grassland and take extra care with anything which may cause a fire, in particular discarded cigarettes or matches.

"It is too easy, however, to attribute all these types of fire to the dry conditions we see at various times of the year. The fact is that some of these fires are started deliberately. As a consequence fire crews are needlessly tied up at minor incidents which could cause a delay in crews attending a real emergency where lives and property are in danger.

"Parents should warn their children of the dangers of starting these types of fire."