Wheelie bins were set on fire more than 140 times in West Lothian last year, it has emerged.
The fire service is warning of the dangers of deliberate fire-starting, saying these blazes can have devastating consequences.
It costs an average of £2000 to respond to these incidents and firefighters have occasionally had to call for help from the police after coming under attack as they put the flames out.
Watch manager Lee Clark said firefighters had attended wheelie bin fires more than 140 times in 2018.
He said: "There is always a concern around any deliberate fire raising as it has the very real potential to not only cause injury but damage property, affect the environment and impact on surrounding businesses.
"While attending deliberate wheelie bin fires some of my fire and police colleagues have actually been attacked while simply trying to do their job.
"This is completely unacceptable behaviour."
WM Clark added: "Members of the public can help us prevent rubbish fires by considering some simple but effective safety advice.
"This includes: storing rubbish in a secure area if possible; not overflowing bins and refuse areas with excess rubbish; not putting bins out for emptying until the day of collection; be alert to strangers loitering in your street; report any build up of rubbish to your local authority or community fire station."
He said there would be a "zero-tolerance" approach to fire-raising, and urged anyone who saw anything suspicious to report it by notifying Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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