Extreme warning for wildfires issued by fire chiefs as dry spell continues
Over the weekend, 50 firefighters were called out to battle a blaze that affected 40,000 square metres of woodland near Fauldhouse.
An extreme warning for wildfires has been issued across Scotland as a dry spell of warm weather continues.
The warning will be in force from Thursday, May 14, until May 19 and was issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum on Wednesday.
It comes as fire crews worked for days to try and contain a huge wildfire in West Lothian with nine fire appliances and a specialist helicopter deployed to drop water on the burning trees and moorland.
Over the weekend, 50 firefighters were called out to battle a blaze that affected 40,000 square metres of woodland near Fauldhouse.
At its peak it was reported that the fire covered an area the equivalent to five and a half football pitches. People living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.
The vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour and the SFRS is urging communities to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames while this warning is in place.
Area Commander Michael Humphreys is the SFRS Wildfire Lead and said: "Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting. That's why we're urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time.
"It only takes one spark to start a wildfire and things can get out of hand very, very quickly.
"Discarded cigarettes and unsupervised campfires pose a significant threat, so it's vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times."
Remote and rural communities, in particular, are impacted by wildfire. Area Commander Humphreys added: "Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.
"Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
"These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of air polluting gases into the atmosphere."
The SFRS has an array of wildfire prevention and safety advice on its website.
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