Children are behind the rising number of grass and brush fires in Cape Breton, a fire chief says.

There were 20 fires reported on the island Wednesday, and in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, fire departments have received more than 1,000 calls in the last four weeks.

There were another 20 fires in Cape Breton on Wednesday, officials said.
(CBC)

North Sydney fire Chief Lloyd MacIntosh said his volunteers are working 18-hour days putting out many fires he suspects are deliberately set.

"For the most part this is children that are doing this," he said Thursday.
 
"Firefighters are risking their lives. Even grass fires and woods fires can be dangerous. It's a tremendous risk and I wish it would stop."

MacIntosh said many of the fires started during the lunch hour or at the end of the school day.

"There should be some more responsibility taken, on the parents' part, for their kids," he said. "Maybe they should find out what they're doing and probably just know where they are."

A waterbomber from Newfoundland and Labrador has been sent to Cape Breton to help fight the fires. It can carry about 4,540 litres of water; Nova Scotia's helicopters have only a 340-litre capacity.

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources has stopped issuing burning permits in some areas.

John Ross, with the provincial fire control centre, said the dry conditions in the woods and low humidity are creating prime burning conditions.

"I guess I haven't see it this bad before," Ross said.