READERS are being urged to extra care against the risk of outdoor fires during the current heatwave after gorse and grass blazes at two Wirral beauty spots.

Fire crews were called to an incident on Bidston Hill on Monday morning. On arrival they found approximately 1,500sqm of grass and gorse alight and remained at the scene until after 11pm. Billowing smoke could be seen for miles around.

Bidston Lighthouse was also evacuated as a precaution while the incident was dealt with.

Firefighters were also called to a incident involving around 2,000 sq m of grassland at Harrison Park in Wallasey yesterday afternoon and were on scene until early hours of this morning. 

The train line was affected and trains stopped passing temporarily while the incident was being dealt with. Residents living near the railway were asked to keep their windows closed as a precaution.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service say the fires were among 112 involving grassland in the last week; 78 of which are suspected to have been started deliberately.

With the increased risk of spontaneous ignition to grass and woodland due to the prolonged high temperatures, the force has issuing the following guidance for residents to follow:

  • Ensure cigarettes are extinguished correctly and cannot reignite - don't throw cigarette ends on the ground – take your litter home.
  • Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows.
  • Avoid using open fires in the countryside.
  • Don't leave bottles or glass in woodland – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them).
  • Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.
  • If you see a fire, report it to the fire and rescue service immediately by calling 999 and give the nearest main road that the fire appliance can access.
  • Don't attempt to tackle fires – leave the area as quickly as possible.

MFRS arson team manager Michael Buratti said: "In the current hot weather spell there is clearly an increased risk of fires in wooded, bush and grassed areas starting either accidentally or spontaneously.

"However, there is also a direct link between deliberate fires and the warm temperatures due to grassland and vegetation being very dry which creates ideal conditions for a fire to develop.

"This means that deliberate fires involving grass, trees and vegetation are also likely to spread very quickly.

"Deliberately setting a fire is arson. Deliberate fires are investigated and The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Arson Team will be working with Merseyside Police, Local Authorities and other partner agencies to identify offenders.

"Our advice to residents is to take care when out in grassed and wooded areas, be vigilant but also report any suspicious activity to ourselves and the Police immediately."

As part of its current operations to tackle grassland fires, hosing equipment is being placed near at risk sites, ready for quick use in case of repeated fire incidents.