FIREFIGHTERS are warning people to take extra care after the onset of warm weather sparked a spate of grass fires across Bolton.

Crews have been called out to numerous incidents, many started deliberately by youths, and others started accidentally.

People are being warned to take extra care in the warm weather, as grass fire incidents often tie up fire service resources.

Watch Commander Simon Wood, Bolton North fire station, said: “Obviously we cannot be in more than one place at one time, so while we are messing about with grass fires we are not available for more serious incidents.

“Children who are lighting these fires are also putting themselves in danger.

“On the moors, it can quickly spread and we don’t want it to damage the areas of natural beauty.

“We want to remind people enjoying the weather to be careful when discarding cigarettes and having barbecues.”

At 3pm on Friday, firefighters from Horwich went to an area off Matchmoor Lane, behind Pilkington Quarry in Horwich, where two hectares of grass heather was alight. They used beaters to put out the blaze.

Residents in Atherton acted quickly and called the fire service out to a blaze in Bee Fold Lane at 1pm on Friday, which damaged 50 square metres of grass.

Youths were making a camp fire in Bolton Old Road, Atherton, at 8.40pm on Friday, when firefighters were called to put out the fire.

Firefighters from Horwich were called to an area of grass set on fire near High Rid Reservoir, Fall Birch Road, at 4pm on Saturday.

Å Three youths were seen starting a fire on land near a canal off Kiribati Way in Leigh at 5.15pm on Friday, which could have spread to a nearby factory if it had not been tackled in time.