A WARNING has been issued after part of Ilkley Moor was damaged by fire.

Thirty firefighters spent more than two hours putting out the blaze on Wednesday evening.

Crews from Keighley, including the specialist Wild Fire Unit, Otley, Silsden, Stanningley, Rawdon and Cookridge took part in the operation after receiving a call from a member of the public at about 7pm.

They used beaters and special blower machines – that 'suffocate' the flames – to extinguish the fire, which affected an area about 400 by 100 metres.

One engine and a purpose-designed wildfire unit attended from Keighley and spent more than two hours at the scene.

District Chief Commander Neal Andrews, of Keighley fire station, said the fire destroyed a substantial area of the famous moorland.

"We don't know what caused it but thankfully the conditions were nice and calm with no wind or it would have been a lot more devastating," he said.

He urged people enjoying the countryside to take care not to discard cigarettes or hold barbecues.

And the fire service has now erected a sign next to the site of the blaze, urging people to report any behaviour that could lead to fires.

Mr Andrews added: "It was quite hard work dealing with the fire and I would like to thank the local volunteers and landowners who helped.

"We're not certain how it started, but the ground is extremely dry at the moment so it's possible that a discarded cigarette or remains of a barbecue might have been the cause.

"As we approach summer I would urge anyone using the countryside and enjoying our moorland to be extremely careful and vigilant."

Danny Jackson, chairman of the South Pennines Fire Operations Group (FOG) and countryside and rights of way manager at Bradford Council warned of the increased risk of moorland wildfires as good weather both dries out the peatland and encourages more people into the countryside.

He said: "Spring is a real danger period for moorland wildfires, which is why the partners working together through FOG, including firefighters and landowners, are asking members of the public to be extra vigilant when out in the countryside.

"The negative impact of wildfires across the moors is widely recognised, including the economic impact on farmers through loss of grazing.

"The loss of habitat and the effect that these fires have on nesting birds can also clearly be seen but in addition we want to highlight the hidden dangers - the pollution, the release of carbon into the atmosphere and the impact of people's health."

The latest fire comes a year after Ilkley Moor was ravaged by two fires within the space of ten days in May 2016.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service has urged anyone report a moorland fire through the 999 service to give its location as precisely as possible.