FIRE chiefs in West Yorkshire have admitted that a 96-hour strike by firefighters over the busy bonfire season will provide its “toughest test to date” in the long-running industrial action affecting the authority.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are set to walk out at 6pm on Friday and not return until the same time on November 4, the eve of Bonfire Night.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) attended nearly 300 call-outs over the equivalent four-day period last year, and assistant chief fire officer Dave Walton said the strike would leave the service and the public in a “vulnerable position.”

“This is the longest continuous strike we have had to cover with our contingency arrangements,” he said.

“It will be our toughest test to date, so please do not under-estimate the heightened risk to yourself and your family.”

WYFRS expects to have around half of its usual fleet of 53 fire engines available during the strike, which will be strategically placed in areas deemed to be high-risk.

The decision for strike action relates to a dispute between the FBU and the Government over pension reforms. Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said the union remained committed to resolving the dispute “in the interests of our members and the public.”