West Yorkshire fire service warns of £20,000 fine

West Yorkshire firefighters are warning potential arsonists that if they start grass fires they could be faced with a £20,000 fine.

West Yorkshire Firefighters have been called to 40 moorland wildfires so far this year.

In 2011, firefighters had to tackle a deliberately-started fire on Baildon Moor in March, which caused significant damage to an area used by ground-nesting birds such as curlew, lapwings and skylarks.

In another incident, 50 acres of Grassington Moor was destroyed by fire as controlled burning was fanned by winds.

The fire service has warned that anyone found to have started a fire deliberately on a Site of Special Scientific Interest could face a fine of up to £20,000.

Station Commander Robin Ward, said: “Moorland fires are notoriously difficult to tackle because they are often in inaccessible locations, where there is little or no water supply. They burn quickly and ferociously and, when driven by strong winds, can be unpredictable and dangerous for firefighters. These fires can cause damage to the land and they can wipe out wildlife.”