Deliberate fires 'devastating' for wildlife
SuppliedFires started deliberately are having a "terrible" impact on nesting birds and wildlife at a beauty spot.
Cleveland Fire Brigade said it was having to respond to dangerous incidents in Eston Hills on Teesside "far too often" and pull resources away from other emergencies.
MP Anna Turley is assembling a taskforce to tackle the issue and exploring the possibility of adding the land to the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
Eston resident Rita Richardson said she was "upset" about the impact the fires were having on wildlife.
She said: "Kids have been starting fires in the hills for what feels like forever.
"The last one was huge, I headed up to see what was happening and it was heart-breaking.
"It's nesting season and I spoke to fire fighters who have been up on the hills and they are seeing bird nests that have been destroyed by the fire."
Cleveland Police said it had been carrying out regular patrols in the area and had been deploying drones to monitor for signs of smoke.
SuppliedMs Turley said: "The people of TS6 and the wider community are absolutely sick of the constant damage being done to Eston Hills.
"These deliberate fires are putting huge pressures on our emergency services, destroying our beautiful green spaces, devastating local wildlife and making people feel unsafe in areas that should be for everybody to enjoy."
She said the taskforce would "pull together" the police, fire service, council and local organisations to take "coordinated action".
A fire brigade spokesperson urged anyone with information on the culprits to report it anonymously through FireStoppers.
"As the weather improves and more people head outdoors, deliberate fires remain a concern.
"They put lives at risk, destroy local wildlife habitats and damage a much-loved space used by families, walkers, and the wider community.
"Our crews respond to deliberate fires like this far too often. It's not only dangerous but also disheartening."