High summer temperatures that have rolled in after an extremely wet winter are giving rise to some 15 grass fire reports every day.

The island went through a spell of heavy downpours, followed by a surge in temperatures, which has dried the grass that had grown tall in winter.

This has increased the risk of grass fires across the island, Civil Protection Department director Patrick Murgo said, adding that the department was receiving about 15 calls a day. Although grass fires usually start at the end of June, the department has been receiving reports since the beginning of the month.

Last Monday, a fierce blaze believed to have started as a grass fire engulfed the backyard of the Foster Clark factory in San Ġwann.

Investigations are still underway to determine whether the blaze started in the yard itself or in a nearby field.

Mr Murgo warned against throwing away glass and cigarette butts in grassy places.

Dry grass is a fire hazard in itself, so people should keep any heat source, including BBQs and compressors, away from dry weed.

And when someone needs to burn uprooted weeds, they should first remove any grass on the perimeter of the area and inform CPD about their controlled fire, he said.

People who come across an unattended grass fire should inform the CPD on 112 and immediately put themselves at a distance from the area.

Unless a person is trained to control fire, he or she should not try to put it out, as toxic fumes are also a hazard.

Passers-by should go upwind (against the wind direction) to avoid the flames and if the grass fire is in a valley, people should not climb uphill, as fire spreads in an upward motion.