“WE’RE sitting on a tinderbox.”

That was the warning today from fire chiefs – fearing a massive number of calls to grassland fires.

They are worried they will be inundated with calls to tackle grass fires, as the hot weather coincides with the school holidays.

The warning comes after massive areas of Marsden Moor were devastated in a fierce blaze, and as Peak Park staff put up warning notices.

Since April 1, firefighters have put out more than 100 grass and rubbish fires in Kirklees.

They included four in two hours on Sunday. Huddersfield firefighters fought two grass fires in Birkby, one in Foxglove Road, Almondbury, and the fourth in Greenhead Park.

The previous weekend, fires raged on moorland at Slaithwaite, Scammonden, Marsden and Ripponden.

Dry conditions look set to continue as Huddersfield basks in an early spring heatwave and no rain is forecast for the rest of the week

Lee Benson, the fire service’s Assistant District Commander for Kirklees, said: “School holidays are our busiest time and we can expect an increase in grass and waste ground fires.

“What may seem like a little bit of fun for children and young adults can have very, very serious consequences.

“If our appliances are attending grass fires, they are unable to attend house fires and serious car crashes.

“Fire engines may have to come out from stations further away, which would add five or 10 minutes – vital time in a house fire.”

“Our message is for young people to seriously consider the consequences of their actions.”

Mr Benson added that there were two further areas of concern: barbecues and visitors to the moorland.

Castle Hill Ranger Julian Brown is also worried about the increased fire risk from barbecues.