More than 400 bush and grass fires have been recorded so far in the Western Division by the National Fire Authority.

In statics released by NFA, within a span of nine months and three days, the Western Division recorded 408 fires.

Out of the 408 recorded fires, 211 occurred within the month of September alone and 33 from October 1 to October 4.

The figures also revealed that 100 cane fires and 53 rubbish fires were also recorded in the West from January to October.

NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane said a majority of these incidences had been the result of careless burning combined with heat and windy conditions which in some instances were caused by grass self-igniting.

“While these bushfires pose threat to properties and lives, they also impose considerable pressure on our resources,” he said.

“Should there be any major fire in the central business centres, NFA could be possibly affected in resource distribution.”

He said responding to these fires were also a costly exercise for the authority.

“In just three days, from October 1 to date, the estimated cost of NFA attending to these grass and bush fire is $16,000. People’s negligence towards fire safety and a ‘no-care’ attitude is a major challenge right now for NFA.”

He said the public needed to be reminded that fire safety was imperative for everyone and it was every individual’s responsibility to ensure that they adhered to fire safety precautions.

“We do not want to see people lose their properties, farms, and livestock.

“People should be responsible and act now to avoid unnecessary fire incidents that pose a threat to anyone.”

Members of the public have been urged to contact NFA on 910 when they see any fire that needed to be attended to by firefighters.