SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE chiefs have been warning residents in Moray and throughout the north east to take additional care when out and about at this time of year.

Their appeal comes as a series of grass fires have devastated large areas and threatened nearby homes and business – with the SFRS estimating the cost so far of fighting the fires at over £10,000.

Several fires have broken out in woodland and beach areas in Aberdeenshire in recent weeks, while in Lossiemouth a massive blaze threatened a local café and the Silver Sands caravan park where dozens had to be evacuated.

SFRS Group Manager for Moray, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Gordon Riddel, said: “The SFRS is appealing in particular to young people during school holidays to consider the consequences of deliberately setting a fire.

“We would urge parents to ensure that their children know about and understand the potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have.”

While there is no evidence to suggest that the Lossiemouth blaze was the result of deliberate fire raising, the dangers that blaze posed did underline to everyone in the region how catastrophic such a blaze can be.