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HAMPSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is warning people to be extra careful not to start fires during warmer weather.

Dried out grass verges and hedgerows can easily catch light if people are careless with cigarettes or do not extinguish fires or barbecues properly.

Assistant Chief Officer Charlie House, head of community safety, said: "During warmer weather grass and heathland fires can be serious problem for the service and tie up a huge amount of our valuable firefighting resources.

"We want to encourage people to take care and think about what they're doing. For example, drivers should refrain from discarding cigarettes through car windows while driving along as this, combined with dry grass verges and hedgerows, can easily lead to fires.

"Another major problem for us is children deliberately setting fires so, if you are a parent, we urge you to warn them of the dangers of fire, as well as keeping matches and lighters out of their reach."

The service requests people to report any information on fire setting activities and those responsible anonymously, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you see a fire in the countryside during the current spell of warmer weather, contact Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service immediately on 999.

2:21pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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