Firefighters from Cumnock, Dalmellington, New Cumnock, Mauchline and Muirkirk have attended 20 grass fires recently and are urging people to heed their advice as summer approaches.

Local Watch Commander, Alan Coughtrie said: “Some countryside fires are unavoidable but many can be prevented. There are simple steps we can all take to protect our countryside from fire, and with the public’s help we can ensure crews are able to quickly get to any incidents in our towns and villages.” The advice to people is to extinguish cigarettes properly and never to throw them on the ground or out of car windows. They should also avoid making open fires in the countryside and never leave bottles in woodland, as sunlight passing through glass can start fires.

Watch Commander Coughtrie added: “Countryside fires can devastate thousands of hectares of land, forests and wildlife, but they can also kill people. They’re dangerous and unpredictable – changing direction without warning.”