WITH a warm bank holiday and half term school holidays expected, people have been warned to keep safe around open water and do all they can to prevent wildfires.

The prolonged period of warm dry weather is set to continue during the Spring Bank.

The risk of wildfire is increasing and The Met Office's Fire Severity Index (FSI) is set to climb to ‘High’.

The Natural Hazards Partnership have also elevated their alert level to “amber” with all indications that the risk and consequences of any outbreak are increasing.

There have already been several major wildfires on moorland across the region this year, with the latest being on Marsden Moor this week.

A smouldering disposable barbecue and rubbish was also left on moorland in the Bradford district already this week, so Bradford Council is once again repeating its reminders that barbeques and fires of any kind are not allowed on the moors.

This ban is covered by a Public Space Protection Order and people can be fined up to £2,500 and/or receive a prison sentence. Anyone who see a fire or someone using a BBQ on moorland has been asked to dial 999 and ask for the fire service.

During the warmer weather people are tempted to try to cool off in open water such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs which can be extremely dangerous. Anything below 15ºC is classed as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, this is cold water shock which can lead to drowning.

Other dangers include hidden objects such as submerged strainers that water can pass through but a person would get stuck, tree branches, rubbish, even vehicles that may have been washed downstream all present risks.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “During the warmer weather people are more tempted to take risks around water and this has tragically and all too recently taken lives. We are encouraging people to resist the temptation to cool off in open water and also to talk to their young people about the dangers.”

District Commander Chris Kovacs from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fires on moorland can spread incredibly quickly and pose an immediate threat to people, wildlife in the nearby area and potentially threaten nearby properties.

“These fires take a considerable amount of time and resources to extinguish. We would much rather deal with an illegal barbeque in progress than a wildfire, so if people see a fire or someone using a BBQ on moorland, please dial 999 and ask for Fire and Rescue.”