West Sussex Fire Brigade dealt with more than 1,600 countryside fires in the county last year. Half of these were started deliberately - and an increasing amount by young people. This is particularly worrying in the summer when vegetation is dry and could ignite easily and rapidly develop into a severe fire. It can take more than one million litres of water to extinguish each one and wildlife is at risk, with a high loss of birds nest sites.

In addition to causing thousands of poundsworth of damage, young people who play with matches are often unaware of the danger to themselves and others,"said Station Officer Roger Wood , who is responsible for Community Fire Safety in the county. "Young people playing with matches are quite literally playing with their lives."

With the school holidays, Brigade officers are concerned that bored young people may look for ways to amuse themselves, which may not always be safe. They are urging parents to be vigilant and constantly aware of how their children are filling their time.

Other causes of summer fires include camp sites and barbecues. Cooking outdoors can be a lot of fun, provided that a few simple safety precautions are taken.

• Choose a level, sheltered site away from most people.
  
  
• Never pour flammable liquid onto coals and if using barbecue lighting fuel, make sure the cap is replaced after use. More on BBQs>>
  
  
• Keep fuel and matches away from fire and children.
  
  
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby.
  
  
• Use long, wooden-handled tools.
  
  
• Avoid flammable or flowing clothes.

Michael Dennis is the West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Public Safety. "We don't want to dampen the holiday season fun but we urge you to keep safe and not become yet another fire statistic,"he said. "Many people still don’t realise how quickly a fire can spread, and the damage it can do."

If anyone has any information relating to an incident which they believe may have been arson, they should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 . Further information and advice is available from Community Fire Safety on .