A PLEA has been issued for extra vigilance to guard against the risk of wildfires on the district's moorland.

The South Pennines Fire Operations Group (FOG) is urging people to take care when using the moors around Keighley and the Worth Valley.

And it is asking the public to report any suspicious activity.

The group – which includes the fire service, local authorities, police and landowners – says moorland blazes endanger wildlife and livestock, as well as putting people's safety in jeopardy and destroying valuable habitat.

FOG chairman, Danny Jackson, said: "Spring is a real danger period for moorland wildfires, which is why the partners working together through FOG are asking members of the public to be extra vigilant when out in the countryside.

"The negative impact of wildfires across the moors is widely recognised, including the economic impact on farmers through loss of grazing.

"The loss of habitat and the effect that these fires have on nesting birds, such as the endangered twite, can also clearly be seen but in addition we want to highlight the hidden dangers – the release of carbon into the atmosphere and the impact on people's health."

Adam Greenwood, wildfire officer for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, backs the call for vigilance.

He added: "Dispose of any glass bottles and cigarettes in a responsible manner and remember to use your barbecue at home rather than on the moors.

"If you see a wildfire, please report it through the 999 service, giving its location as precisely as possible.

"And we would also ask people to report anyone acting suspiciously.

"Until recently moorland fires were seen as a low priority, but now the uplands are recognised as being as valuable as bricks and mortar.

"If the peat burns it can be very difficult to extinguish and these fast-moving fires in off-road locations can be tiring for firefighting crews and resource intensive, which means that we may be stretched if fires occur elsewhere."