Latest news with #Fauldhouse
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Wildfire burns for over a day as more than 50 firefighters battle to bring blaze under control
More than 50 firefighters battled a huge forest fire amid an 'extreme' wildfire warning as temperatures soared to be hotter than parts of Spain. Crews were called to the blaze covering a ten-acre area of woodland just off the B7010 near Fauldhouse, West Lothian, before midday on Saturday. A helicopter was also drafted in to drop water from the air as crews battled to bring the flames under control. The wildfire could be seen from almost 10 miles away in the neighbouring towns of Bathgate, Blackburn and Blackridge, with one eyewitness describing the scene as 'apocalyptic'. Residents living nearby also spoke of smoke engulfing their gardens as crews urged them to keep windows and doors closed. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service battling the blaze for the second day yesterday after being alerted to reports of 'a large outdoor fire affecting a remote area of forest near Fauldhouse' just around 11.45am on Saturday A spokesman said: 'Operations Control currently has nine appliances at the scene, as well as a high volume pump, all terrain vehicle and a water bowser. 'Firefighters will continue to work to extinguish the fire.' Police Scotland also urged the pubic to avoid the area while crews battled the blaze. A spokesman said: 'There have been no reports of any injuries, however, as a precaution, officers are advising local residents in the Heartlands, Armadale and Whitburn areas to keep their windows and doors closed as they deal with this incident. 'Please avoid the scene whilst emergency services are dealing with the incident.' It comes as an 'extreme' wildfire risk remains in place across mainland Scotland today [Mon], as the Met Office is predicting temperatures of 24C. In comparison thermometers in the Spanish capital of Madrid are only expected to peak at 18C. Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said after a misty and foggy start around eastern coastal locations it will soon clear in most areas, with the exception of Orkney and Shetland, where cloud is likely to linger for most of the day. But he said: 'Inland there will be plenty of dry conditions and sunny spells. We can't rule out that we won't see some showers as we head into the afternoon - and watch out for them being on the heavy side - but once again temperatures are going to be well above average for this point in the year.' Rainfall is also currently at only 3 per cent of the average, compared with the 19 per cent normally seen by May. This has led to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issuing alerts for 23 rivers across the country, including the Clyde, due to fears over water scarcity. Only in the Inner Hebrides are water levels now at 'normal' conditions. SFRS, meanwhile, is urging those heading outdoors to 'act safely and responsibly'.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fifty firefighters tackling West Lothian wild blaze
Fire crews are continuing to battle a wild blaze in a wooded area in West Lothian. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said up to 50 firefighters are still attending the scene, almost 24 hours after they were called to the site near Fauldhouse. The fire was said to cover 40,000 sq metres, the equivalent to about five-and-a-half football pitches. An extreme risk warning for wildfires is currently in place across mainland Scotland. The service received the first call at 11:43 on Saturday and eight appliances attended the scene. Earlier the SFRS said dry, warm weather was increasing the chance of fires breaking out. Wildfire in Fauldhouse after 'extreme risk' warning issued 'Wildfire sent years of work up in flames' The service has asked people to be very careful with naked flames in the countryside. Meanwhile, the latest Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) report shows that a lack of rain is causing water levels to fall in many rivers across the country. Water scarcity is reported across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, up through the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay to all parts of Aberdeenshire. Sepa said rivers around the Black Isle and Thurso were also affected. The wildfire warning runs until Monday. People are being asked to think of the consequences that fires sparked by cigarettes or barbeques can have on wildlife, agriculture and rural communities.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fifty firefighters tackling West Lothian wild blaze
Fire crews are continuing to battle a wild blaze in a wooded area in West Lothian. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said up to 50 firefighters are still attending the scene, almost 24 hours after they were called to the site near Fauldhouse. The fire was said to cover 40,000 sq metres, the equivalent to about five-and-a-half football pitches. An extreme risk warning for wildfires is currently in place across mainland Scotland. The service received the first call at 11:43 on Saturday and eight appliances attended the scene. Earlier the SFRS said dry, warm weather was increasing the chance of fires breaking out. Wildfire in Fauldhouse after 'extreme risk' warning issued 'Wildfire sent years of work up in flames' The service has asked people to be very careful with naked flames in the countryside. Meanwhile, the latest Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) report shows that a lack of rain is causing water levels to fall in many rivers across the country. Water scarcity is reported across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, up through the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay to all parts of Aberdeenshire. Sepa said rivers around the Black Isle and Thurso were also affected. The wildfire warning runs until Monday. People are being asked to think of the consequences that fires sparked by cigarettes or barbeques can have on wildlife, agriculture and rural communities.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Fifty firefighters tackling West Lothian wild blaze
Fire crews are continuing to battle a wild blaze in a wooded area in West Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said up to 50 firefighters are still attending the scene, almost 24 hours after they were called to the site near fire was said to cover 40,000 sq metres, the equivalent to about five-and-a-half football extreme risk warning for wildfires is currently in place across mainland Scotland. The service received the first call at 11:43 on Saturday and eight appliances attended the the SFRS said dry, warm weather was increasing the chance of fires breaking out. The service has asked people to be very careful with naked flames in the the latest Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) report shows that a lack of rain is causing water levels to fall in many rivers across the scarcity is reported across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, up through the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay to all parts of said rivers around the Black Isle and Thurso were also wildfire warning runs until are being asked to think of the consequences that fires sparked by cigarettes or barbeques can have on wildlife, agriculture and rural communities.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Lothian fire crews battle massive wildfire for seven hours as locals warned
Fire crews were forced to "withdraw" and await "more manpower" as they have continued battling a massive wildfire in West Lothian for over seven hours. The blaze began around 11.43am on Saturday, May 10 and is still burning near Lanrigg Road in Fauldhouse, near Whitburn. A large area of trees and gorse are alight, according to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and nine appliances and three special appliances are on the scene. READ MORE: Dubai-based crime lord 'wreaking havoc' on Edinburgh unmasked by rivals READ MORE: Edinburgh man arrested after police and paramedics called to scene Police Scotland has warned West Lothian locals to close their windows and doors as officials respond to the incident. The wildfire comes as a 'very high' risk of wildfire warning is in place for Edinburgh and the Lothians. An announcement from Police Scotland said: "Emergency services are in attendance at fires in the Lanrigg Road [area], Fauldhouse, near Whitburn. "There have been no reports of any injuries, however, as a precaution, officers are advising local residents in the Heartlands, Armadale and Whitburn areas to keep their windows and doors closed as they deal with this incident. "Police were called to the scene around 12.30pm today, Saturday, 10 May 2025. "Please avoid the scene whilst emergency services are dealing with the incident. A spokesperson from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We received a call of a wildfire at 11.43am on Saturday, May 10. We have been responding to ongoing wildfires going on since 11.47am when our first crews arrived. "Crews have had to withdraw due to dangers and wait for more appliances to arrive to get more manpower. "Nine appliances are attendance plus three special appliances. "A large area of trees and gorse are ablaze near Lanrigg Road in Fauldhouse. "No casualties or damage to property has been reported." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
