Crews have cleared flammable debris from streets as a fire chief warns families not to organise illegal and dangerous gatherings in Renfrewshire tonight.
With no large scale organised displays there’s fear that sporadic fires and private fireworks displays could be a danger.
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Renfrewshire Commander Jim McNeil admitted: “It is going to be really hard for us to identify where our major hotspot locations are going to be.
“We genuinely don’t know how it will play
out.”
The brigade is working closely with Renfrewshire Council refuse teams to find firewood and other burning material that has been stashed ahead Guy Fawkes.
Fire chief McNeil, who is based in Johnstone, said: “You cannot do anything about people bringing things out to burn on the night.
“But the cleansing team have been identifying and picking up stuff that has been stockpiled on a continual basis.
“Things can be put outside a close or building, and this is where things can go wrong.”
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Extra staff will be on duty at the force control base in Johnstone, primed to ensure multiple calls to the same incident don’t impact on other emergencies.
In Renfrewshire there are full-time stations at Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew. In East Renfrewshire, Barrhead is also full-time.
Nationally, last bonfire season saw call-outs to 2,300 deliberate fires, including 350 bonfires.
There were also six recorded attacks on fire teams.
Mr McNeil added: “Six weeks ago I looked at what impact the restrictions on public gatherings would make.
“Our Bonfire Night strategy is a well-rehearsed and detailed process that we do every single year.
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“But without the big, organised events taking away the draw of a fire or fireworks in the back garden or communal area, there is now concern.
“We have had to try and work out our resource and mobilisation criteria on something we genuinely do not know.”
The chief stepped into the top role three months ago and commands Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
He’s pleading with families who do plan a private event to take care and follow the Firework Code, which is on the Scottish Fire and Rescue website.
No rain is expected tonight, but there should be thick cloud and a breeze.
