A senior Angus fire officer has appealed to would-be firebugs to recognise the dangers of deliberately starting fires.
Firefighters in the county are steeling themselves for an anticipated seasonal increase in fire-raising offences, notably during March and April.
Billy McLintock, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) Angus group manager, said: “SFRS is appealing, in particular to young people as they go on school holidays for the Easter break, 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, as well as the impact for responding emergency services.”
Police Scotland will work closely with SFRS to identify offenders.
Area commander, Chief Inspector Gordon Milne said: “The setting of deliberate fires can be extremely dangerous and it is disappointing that over the spring period, the SFRS face an increase in outdoor fires. This is all the more disappointing when many of these fires have been started deliberately.
“Wilful fire-raising is something we take very seriously and we work closely with SFRS to ensure that offenders are identified and reported.”
In March and April 2014, there were 2,384 deliberate fires in Scotland. This was a reduction on the high of 4,677 during the same period in 2011 but showed there was still much work to be done to further reduce incidents.
Mr McLintock said: “Our crews work hard to provide education and advice about the risks and also respond when fires do break out.
“The public can help them to keep people safe by heeding our safety advice and sharing it with others.”
Anyone with information about fire-setting should call police on 101. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Anyone who sees a fire in progress should call 999.
Flytipping can be reported to the council’s ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778.