'Extreme risk of wildfire' warning extended across Scotland
An extreme danger assessment covering the north of Scotland was issued for Friday, and has since been extended to cover mainland Scotland until Monday.
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Wildfire warning after disposable barbeque blamed for massive blaze
Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.
SFRS Wildfire Lead Michael Humphreys said: "We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.
"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 greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
"Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."
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The National
18-07-2025
- The National
Extreme wildfire alert across parts of Scotland this weekend
The alert was issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and is in effect from Friday until Monday. Communities across the east of Scotland and Shetland are more likely to be at risk of wildfires on Friday. READ MORE: Scottish Tories call for police officers to be banned from Pride events By Saturday and Sunday, the main areas at risk of wildfires are in and around Moray. Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and cause devastation to wildlife and land, as well as having knock-on effects for nearby communities. The SFRS urged people in these areas to avoid the use of naked flames outdoors, including the use of barbecues. SFRS group commander Niall MacLennan said: "We know that people acting responsibly outdoors can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting. "That's why we're urging people within these areas 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." READ MORE: Activist slams 'draconian' law as protester arrested at Palestine Action demo The SFRS said that remote and rural communities are most at risk of wildfires. MacLennan 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." An extreme alert was also in place last weekend, as Scotland experienced a heatwave with temperatures reaching as high as 32C. A wildfire which broke out in Perth last Friday raged for two days, with six fire appliances sent to the scene.
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Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Scotsman
Highland and Moray wildfires 'biggest in Scotland's history'
Scottish minister visits wildfire site said to be Scotland's biggest yet. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Wildfires that ravaged landscape in Moray and the Highlands have been confirmed as the biggest on record in Scotland, according to a new report. Landowner membership organisation Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) estimates the fires that broke out in late June and early July affected 29,225 acres (11,827 hectares) - an area almost 50 times bigger than Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The figures were released in a report requested by the Scottish Government to document the scale. Police and firefighters are still investigating the wildfire on the Dava Moor | Bright Spark Burning Techniques The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) had figures showing slightly lower numbers in terms of scale but also confirmed the combined fires were Scotland's largest wildfire event on record. Dava-Carrbridge wildfire estimated burn area from the SFRS | SFRS The SL&E report was published on Thursday, the day agriculture minister Jim Fairlie visited the site of the wildfires for the first time since they happened. The minister met with local land managers and stakeholders involved in the emergency response. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SL&E said more than 100 workers from over 30 rural businesses helped firefighters put out the flames that burned for days. The report claimed 80 per cent of those who helped had practical experience of controlled burning (muirburn). No one was injured in the response, however those involved said several near-miss incidents occurred. One of the fires was discovered on Friday 20 June near Carrbridge, in the Highlands, and re-ignited on multiple occasions over 11 days before being fully extinguished. Flames also ripped through the Dava Moor in Moray, less than 20 miles away, in the same week on Saturday, 28 June. Police and firefighters are continuing to investigate the cause of both incidents. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A police update on the Dava Moor fire issued this week said officers are trying to trace people who were seen with deck chairs and fishing rods near to where the blaze started at Loch Allan. Ross Ewing, director of moorland at SL&E, said rural workers should be commended for their efforts. Ross Ewing of SL&E | SL&E He said: "The Carrbridge and Dava wildfires represent the largest such event in Scotland's history – and without the extraordinary intervention of rural businesses, the scale of devastation would have been even greater. "These land managers brought not only equipment and personnel, but also essential knowledge of the terrain and fire behaviour – much of it honed through generations of safe muirburn practice." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The SL&E report said there are 'key gaps' in the SFRS wildfire response capability. It made recommendations, including investment in a fleet of at least 50 SFRS all-terrain vehicles equipped with fogging units, enhanced authority for SFRS commanders to deploy aerial support quickly, urgent improvements in wildfire training and communications for frontline crews and to established a Scotland-wide Integrated Fire Management Strategy. The report comes after Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle accused Mr Fairlie of 'being in hiding' after taking almost three weeks to visit the sites. MSP Tim Eagle at one of the sites where flames ripped through the countryside three weeks ago | Tim Eagle Mr Eagle said: 'It's disgraceful it has taken Jim Fairlie 20 days to come up to Carrbridge to witness the devastation and destruction caused by the recent wildfires. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Throughout these incidents, Scotland's agriculture minister has been in hiding as firefighters, gamekeepers, estate owners, farmers, and volunteers worked round-the-clock to extinguish one of the biggest wildfires this country has ever seen. 'This is yet another example of the Highlands and Islands being treated as an afterthought by the SNP government, at a time when the minister should have visited the area immediately.' The Scottish Wildfire Forum said it is 'deeply grateful to all those who were involved in bringing these difficult fires under control.' Mr Fairlie said: 'I am extremely grateful to the SFRS, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and others for their hard work and dedication in fighting these fires, and for taking the time to meet with me this week to reflect on that experience and lessons we can learn for future incidents.'
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Crews battle overnight fire which spread across Kilmarnock shops
Fire crews have been tackling a blaze in a number of buildings in the centre of services were initially called to reports of a "well-developed" blaze on the ground floor of a four-storey shop building on King Street at about 21:00 on Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) dispatched two appliances and a height vehicle, however the fire quickly spread across neighbouring remained on the scene on Tuesday morning and closures to roads and nearby businesses were put in place. There were no reports of any injuries, but residents have been warned to keep their windows SFRS spokesperson said a total of six appliances were battling the fire at its peak in the early hours of crews and an aerial appliance remain on the scene, they added. The Burns Mall shopping area has been closed, as have King Street, Sandbed Street and Sandbed Ayrshire Council urged pedestrians and drivers to avoid the area and keep roads clear.A Police Scotland spokesperson said inquiries into the cause of the fire were ongoing.
