People enjoying this week's hot weather should use common sense, observe social distancing and stay safe, local authorities have said.

The message has come from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue as well as Staffordshire County Council, who have both urged the public to take extra care when enjoying the countryside this summer.

It comes after a recent increase in incidents attended by the fire service; since March the service has attended 715 incidents, and 64 per cent of these (459) were started deliberately.

These have included reports of wild campers lighting campfires on the Roaches, and three separate large fires in Cannock Chase.

In response, firefighters have launched a safety campaign, "Don't Be Blamed For The Flames", which aims to prevent serious blazes and deter would be fire setters from deliberately starting fires for fun.

Last year crews attended 1,529 fires outdoors, with some of the largest incidents caused by disposable barbecues. Shockingly, the majority (1,129) of outdoor fires last year were started deliberately.

Director of community safety Howard Watts said: "We need your help to stop these incidents from happening. These fires are down to human error - they don't just start on their own and are usually caused by a barbecue, campfire, a carelessly discarded cigarette or a glass bottle left behind by someone.

"Our message is simple. Please don't use barbecues or campfires in the countryside, take a picnic instead.

"It may seem like a fun idea to have a barbecue while at a beauty spots but it can so easily spread, endangering wildlife and the environment and even threatening nearby homes."

He continued: "Cigarettes are often not put out thoroughly and can also start fires, as can sunlight shining through a discarded glass bottle – something many people don't realise.

"Sadly, many beautiful areas were significantly damaged by fires last year and in 2018. The damage caused can still be seen in some areas as it takes years to recover and regrow."

Jon Rowe, Senior Land Management Officer for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Our publicly accessible green spaces are so fragile, it only takes one careless act to cause large destruction to wildlife.

"BBQs and campfires are not allowed on any Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserves, including at the Roaches. We urge anyone visiting the countryside to report any fires, however small, immediately by calling 999."

County Councillor Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member responsible for Cannock Chase at Staffordshire County Council, added: "We see ourselves as custodians of this fantastic countryside and it is truly heart-breaking to see the impact fires can rapidly have on the landscape and our precious habitats. Hopefully by educating people, and drawing their attention to the risks, we can preserve our country parks so future generations can enjoy them."

For more information, visit the Don't be Blamed for the Flames campaign page here.

Meanwhile, Staffordshire County Council is asking residents to keep complying with the Government's social distancing rules, follow the countryside code and not to go swimming in open water.

It comes after local police appealed for people not to swim in Knypersley Reservoir, with Nub reporting yesterday how officers had to tell young people to get out of the water.

Gill Heath, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet member for Communities, said: "Temperatures are forecast to be in the late 20s this week and we know there is always a temptation for people to cool off in open water.

"No matter how confident someone is about their swimming ability, I would urge them not to swim in open water.

"Water can cause cold water shock in even the strongest swimmers and there can be strong currents beneath the surface, as well as weeds, branches and other obstructions that you can be caught in."