WITH the Easter holidays still in full swing, Hampshire firefighters are warning young people and their parents of the dangers of fire pranks.  On Easter Monday alone, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) responded to 95 incidents across the county - many of them involving grass, rubbish and tree fires.  Over the same weekend last year, Fire Control mobilised crews to 64 incidents.  Area manager Rod Hammerton of HFRS's Community Safety department said: "The number of deliberate rubbish fires increases dramatically during the school holidays. Something that starts out as a childish prank can have severe consequences. Not only can it result in thousands of pounds worth of damage – and potentially put people's lives at risk – but it also puts extra pressure on fire crews who already busy dealing with real emergencies. "We would ask children and young people to act responsibly and think about the fact that it could be their friend or family that needs the Fire and Rescue Service in an emergency, but is unable to get immediate help as fire crews are out responding to fire pranks.  We want children and young people to enjoy themselves on their school holidays, but to do so safely. It is important that they do not play with fire, as pranks involving rubbish and grass fires can have very serious consequences for the wider community. One moment of so-called fun can bring a lifetime of suffering and regret." HFRS works with schools, councils and other local services to reduce the number of deliberate fires through a range of voluntary youth engagement initiatives, including the LIFE scheme (Local Intervention Fire Education), Firesetters Intervention, Young Firefighters Association, Prince's Trust Team Projects and many other local initiatives. Fortunately the number of fire deaths and injuries as a result of non-accidental fires is low within Hampshire, in comparison to other parts of the country. However, the risks are still very real, and there is the potential for one incident to cost the lives of many people.