A senior firefighter is urging people to show “extreme caution” when using the countryside this Easter.

Watch Commander Alan Wood was speaking after fire crews from Bingley and Shipley had to form a water relay to put out a grassland blaze in Eldwick – probably started deliberately.

A resident raised the alarm at about 8.30pm on Thursday after spotting a grass embankment alight at Moor Bottom Lane in the village.

Watch Commander Wood said: “It was about 400 metres that we had to cover to get to the fire. It was out of the way and it was hefty work in such warm conditions. We had to form a water relay.

“At this time of year the ground is exceptionally dry and any small fire can quickly spread so we would urge members of the public to show extreme caution in the countryside. It’s very important that people don’t discard cigarettes or matches.

“The more crews get tied up attending fires like this started deliberately or carelessly, then the less pumps are available to keep the public elsewhere safe.”

Earlier this month, people were warned they could face fines of £20,000 for starting fires on protected moorland after a blaze on Ilkley Moor.

Firefighters and Bradford Council staff battled for three hours to prevent the spread of the fire, which was started by a barbecue.

A fire officer said the combination of dry foliage and wind near the Cow and Calf Rocks could have easily caused a more serious blaze.