Call for barbecue ban in tinderbox conditions
The country has endured more than 170 wildfires this year, the most in six years, with the majority occurring between March and May.
Of these, the most devastating — in Carrbridge and Dava on Highland moors — scorched nearly 30,000 acres, an area 30 times larger than Strathclyde Park.
These wildfires, classified by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as large, uncontrolled outdoor fires exceeding 1,000 square metres, are often started by human activity.
Causes include campfires and glass bottles magnifying sunlight as well as the use of disposable barbecues, which conservationists argue are a 'no-brainer' to ban.
Paul White, 40, a climate scientist who has been campaigning on wildfire awareness in the Cairngorms for two years, said the surge in fires was no surprise.
'There is a lot of frustration here,' he told Scotland on Sunday.
'There have been 14 major wildfires this year alone, which is a record. Everyone saw the writing on the wall because this issue has been building and building with climate change.'
White highlighted a fire in Glen Finglas in the Trossachs in which a disposable barbecue was identified as the cause.
The blaze, which covered two hectares — the size of two rugby pitches —resulted in the death of nesting birds and other wildlife, according to the Woodland Trust Scotland.
A charred burger was found on a disposable grill at the scene after the fire was extinguished.
White, who lives in Aviemore, warned that the danger from disposable barbecues persists even after they are removed from a site.
'When you put it on heather or peaty soil, it can burn underground,' he explained. 'Someone could walk away and take the disposable barbecue with them, and then a fire ignites an hour or two after they have left.'
He also pointed to the risk of burns from discarded barbecues. 'If you put the disposable barbecue on a beach, then the sand will capture that heat and stay hot for five or six hours after. So there have been numerous occasions where small kids or dogs have walked on that and been burned.'
White, who called disposable barbecues 'nightmares across the board', has submitted a petition to the Scottish parliament calling for a nationwide ban on their sale. It has already garnered the support of about 2,000 people.
• How to remake our houses and cities for hotter weather
In response to the growing threat, the SFRS has invested £1.6 million in a three-year wildfire strategy, which includes the acquisition of all-terrain vehicles, specialist equipment and the hiring of 14 wildfire tactical advisers.
Area commander Michael Humphreys, the service's wildfire lead, said: 'We know that most wildfires in Scotland are started by people and often by accident.
'That's why we always urge caution when outdoors, especially during dry spells when the risk of wildfire is highest. That includes never using naked flames or disposable barbecues in the countryside during these conditions.'
The Scottish government confirmed it was aware of White's petition and said it would be discussed by MSPs after the summer recess.
Siobhian Brown, the community safety minister, praised firefighters for their efforts and highlighted the government's continued support.
She said the service's budget had been increased to £412.2 million this year, a rise of £18.8 million.
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