Youngsters are dicing with death by building dens in woods and under bridges and then setting fire to them - horrified firemen are concerned a child could be seriously injured or even killed if the trend continues.
The lighter nights this week brought a surge in nuisance fires across the borough.
In just one evening one Wigan fire crew was called out to tackle four den fires in three hours.
Youngsters dragged pallets from a builders' yard off Little Lane, Goose Green, and used them to build a makeshift hut in nearby woods.
A member of the public who dialled 999 reported seeing flames shooting up 6ft from the burning den.
Firemen from Hindley, who attended the blaze on Wednesday evening, were also called out to three other similar incidents that night, while other fire crews were detained at a chemical fire in Bolton.
All the incidents occurred within three hours. Firefighters went to Sussex Road in Hindley after receiving reports that another den was on fire in a wooded area.
When they reached the scene they discovered the charred remains of a makeshift wooden hut with an old mattress, which had been dragged inside it, still on fire.
In Stratton Drive, Platt Bridge, youngsters took police cones from roadworks and carried them to a den in nearby woods, where they set them alight along with quantities of wood.
And in Atherleigh Road, Leigh, youths started a rubbish fire under a canal bridge opposite Leigh Miners Rugby Club.
When firemen arrived at the scene they found the teenagers dragging
some wooden pallets under the bridge, clearly intending to start another fire. It is believed they had taken the pallets from a local builders yard.Police were informed of the incident.
Firemen fear the incidents could herald the start of a long spate of nuisance fires started by youths now that the clocks have gone forward and the evenings are staying light longer.
They are urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of starting fires.
Pete Johnson, White Watch manager at Hindley Fire Station, said: "What these young people are doing is extremely dangerous. Young people do not always realise the consequences of starting fires.
"I would appeal to parents to try and keep an eye on what their kids are doing.
"In the past we have had kids playing in dens and barns and getting trapped.
" The pallets these kids are stacking together to make dens are very heavy and if one fell on a child they could be trapped. They also go up really quickly when they catch fire . "There could be a fatal accident.
"While we are dealing with nuisance fire like this we are not available for house fires, road accidents and other emergencies."
