A BBC Radio interview with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service wildfire lead officer Richard Hawley regarding a spate of  three barbecue fires on Marsden Moor in a single day.

Even with the threat of heavy fines and prison sentences, people are still lighting fires on the moors - like the recent BBQ lit by a group of people next to moorland on Mount Road, Marsden, or a BBQ on New Hey Road in Scammonden, and a third at Brun Clough car park.

As the weather improves, partners of the #BeMoorAware campaign ask us to remember one year on (2021) from a fire caused by a single firework on Marsden Moor. The incident took more than 100 firefighters three days to extinguish, cost more than £500,000, and resulted in a custodial sentence for the perpetrator. 

If you see a fire or someone using a BBQ on moorland – call 999 and ask for FIRE.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service wildfire lead officer Richard Hawley said: “As the days get longer and we all get to enjoy some long-awaited sunshine, we want to stress the seriousness and importance of the public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) in place in rural districts across the region which include a ban on moorland fires, barbecues or fireworks”.

Listen to Richard speaking on BBC Radio about the incidents here