FIREFIGHTERs have renewed warnings about the dangers of lighting fires on local moorland after an unattended campfire was discovered near White Wells above Ilkley.
A crew from Ilkley Fire Station was called to the incident on the moors above Willy Hall's Wood last week after reports of a campfire that had been left unattended.
On arrival, firefighters found the fire had spread beneath the surface into peat, requiring crews to dig down some distance to fully extinguish the smouldering ground and prevent the risk of further spread.
The smouldering campfire at Willy Hall's Wood on Ilkley Moor (Image: Ilkley Fire Station)
In a statement, Ilkley Fire Station said: "The crew had to dig a fair way down to fully extinguish the smouldering peat and prevent any further spread."
Firefighters warned that despite recent wet weather, conditions remain dry enough for fires to develop and spread across moorland.
The station added: "Although the weather has been a bit damper recently, it's not been enough to fully saturate the ground."
Crews thanked members of the public who reported the incident, saying the fire had the potential to become much more serious.
"Thank you to those that called this in, it could have had potential to develop into a larger incident," the statement said.
A bag found at the site of the smouldering campfire at Willy Hall's Wood on Ilkley Moor (Image: Ilkley Fire Station)
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people that fires of any kind remain prohibited on the moorland, even during autumn.
Anyone who sees signs of fire on the moors is urged to call 999, ask for the fire service and provide as accurate a location as possible to help crews respond quickly.