Warning issued amid 'extreme' Scottish wildfire alert

The National

15-05-2025

A very high to extreme risk of wildfires was initially in place over the weekend and on Monday.
However, an extreme warning has now been issued across the whole of Scotland from Thursday until Monday.
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It comes after the driest start to the year in 60 years, which lead Scottish Water to urge customers to use supplies sparingly.
The SFRS have warned people against using naked flames outdoors "at all costs", adding that the vast majority of wildfires are caused by human behaviour.
Area commander Michael Humphreys, the SFRS wildfire lead, 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 are most impacted by wildfires, which have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land.
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Humphreys continued: "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."