Deliberate fire started in Calderdale's countryside as Be Moor Aware campaign is relaunched

The campaign calls on the public to be vigilant especially as lockdown restrictions ease and the rule of six returns to England, allowing people to gather outdoors.

Fire Service Area Manager Scott Donegan said: “We know people will be eager to share time with family members they have not seen in so long and getting outdoors is a great way to support our physical and mental health.

"We would just like to remind people that if they are planning to socialise in the great outdoors that they respect Public Space Protection Orders which are in place to protect our precious landscapes and behave responsibly so not to cause fires.

“We have seen a number of fires in the countryside in recent weeks and at this time of year we do tend to see an increase in these types of fires as the weather picks up.

"We are re-launching our Be Moor Aware campaign to remind people to be vigilant. Wildfires can spread very quickly, threatening the safety of people, animals and property.

"They take a lot of the Fire Service’s time and resources to extinguish meaning that our firefighters could be tied up dealing with a moorland fire, when there is another serious house fire or road traffic collision elsewhere where people’s lives are in danger.

"Please do think of the consequences of your actions and be responsible.”

On March 7 there was a fire off Withens Road, at Wainstalls towards Ogden Reservoir. Fire engines attended from Illingworth and Keighley, including the wildfire unit from Keighley and a wildfire officer

A few days later on March 21 there as another fire in the same area.

Appliances attended Fairweather Green, Keighley Fire Station’s Wildfire Unit, a fire engine from Keighley Fire Station, a second Wildfire Unit and support crew from Todmorden and a Wildfire Officer.

Gaynor Craigie, Head of Land and Property at Yorkshire Water, said: “As lockdown restrictions are eased we’re expecting more people to take advantage of meeting others in an outdoor setting.

"It is important those visiting Yorkshire’s beautiful open spaces are responsible and ensure the land is left how they found it for others to enjoy.

“One particular danger as the weather gets warmer is wildfire. Often these are caused by visitors lighting fires or barbecues and we’ve already had fires on our land near Ogden reservoir, which could have been far more serious.

"Wildfires pose a risk to live, vitally important habitats and significantly impact local wildlife so it is important visitors to the countryside do everything they can to prevent fires.

“We’re backing West Yorkshire Fire Service’s ‘Be Moor Aware’ campaign and, in partnership with National Trust have employed three new countryside rangers who will be operating across our sites to increase our presence across our land in Yorkshire and support with managing visitor wellbeing and maintenance.”