WALKERS are being urged to take extra care while out on East Lancashire’s moorland following two huge blazes at the weekend.

Dozens of firefighters tackled the flames as the region experienced its first day of warmer spring-like temperatures on Saturday, the warmest day of the year.

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Crews said strong winds dried the grass out quickly and caused the fires to spread across the moors above Darwen and Belthorn.

Shaun Walton, group manager responsible for response and emergency planning at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said it was likely the blazes were started by somebody accidentally dropping a cigarette or match.

He urged people across East Lancashire to take steps to protect the region’s moorland.

Mr Walton said: “We ask people to be cautious when they are enjoying the Lancashire countryside. We want it to stay how it is and not to be blackened for months as the areas affected are now.”

Firefighters were firstly called to moorland near Tockholes Road around 1pm on Saturday by a police community support officer who could see the smoke from around half a mile away.

The crews were then alerted around 4pm to another blaze around the Belthorn area and fire engines from Blackburn, Darwen, Great Harwood and Rawtenstall helped to stamp out the flames. They were also joined by a specialist off-road vehicle, allowing crews to travel quickly across the moorland.

The blaze affected around one square kilometre of grassland.

Roads around the area had to be closed because the smoke made it visibility difficult.

East Lancashire was not the only area to be hit by wildfires at the weekend, with firefighters in Derbyshire, Mid and West Wales and South Wales also being called into action.

Mr Walton said even though the peat was still very wet from the winter weather, the grass quickly dried out with Saturday’s sunshine and wind, meaning a fire could quickly start with just a small spark.

He said: “If you are going to smoke on the moors, Do not discard your cigarettes or matches. Take them off the moorland with you.

“If you do notice a fire, report it as soon as you can on 999 and give the precise location.”

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service team members completed training last week on the Abbeystead Estate, in the Trough of Bowland, on how they can effectively and efficiently put out moorland fires.