EMERGENCY services are planning for a “very different” bonfire season in the region – with Covid-19 restrictions likely to lead to the cancellation of most official celebrations.

Top officers at West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service believe that due to the cancellations, celebrations are likely to be on a smaller scale – but also less controlled and potentially more dangerous.

Members of West Yorkshire Fire Authority were being given an update at a virtual meeting on the fire service’s recent performance when the issue was raised.

The data they were given was from the lockdown period, and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said the types of incident firefighters were called to had changed in recent months.

Although there had been a drop in house fires, and suspected arson attacks on buildings, the number of secondary arsons – which involve grass/plants or waste – has remained high since lockdown began.

The service had responded to 2,442 such incidents since April.

Mr Walton said this was due to dry, warm weather during lockdown and the fact that most young people were out of school for several months.

He said: “Arson and secondary fires are up which is unsurprising with the schools being closed for so long. It could have been much worse considering the circumstances.

“I’d like to think enhanced campaigning by our staff had a positive effect.”

Usually at this time of year the service is preparing for the Halloween/bonfire night season, which normally sees a huge spike in unauthorised bonfires, anti-social firework use and attacks on fire crews.

Recent years have seen campaigns urging people to act sensibly over the period, and only attend large, organised events.

However, the meeting was told that with most official bonfires and fireworks displays likely to be cancelled this year, 2020 was shaping-up to be different.

He said: “Many, if not all, organised displays won’t be able to take place, so we are anticipating a prevalence of bonfires on smaller sites like in people’s back gardens and an increase in firework use by those who aren’t used to hosting events or firework safety. We have started dialogue with the police and NHS on how we will tackle this.”