The fire service is warning the public to take extra care after the island has gone through an extended dry spell.

The forecast for the rest of the week and into the weekend is sunshine all the way.

Yesterday, fire crews were called out to reports of a gorse fire at Port Grenaugh beach.

At 3.20am firefighters from Douglas dealt with a blaze covering a large area between Port Soderick and Santon Head and worked for four hours to extinguish the flames.

The fire is thought to have started due to careless disposal of a single use barbecue.

Two Pinzgauer off-road vehicles and a water bowser were brought in due to the location of the incident.

Fire station officer Brian Quirk said: ’The fire and rescue service would like to remind everyone to use extreme caution during the continued spell of fine weather.

’Fires can take hold and spread out of control extremely quickly in the current conditions, causing widespread damage to property and land.’

Meanwhile, smoke from the large fire on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester, more than 110 miles away from the island, could be smelt yesterday.