13-05-2025
Firefighters battle large woodland wildfire for fourth day
Fire crews are still tackling a large wildfire that broke out in West Lothian four days ago.
Emergency services were dispatched to the blaze in a woodland area near Fauldhouse at about 12pm on Saturday.
On Tuesday morning, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokesperson confirmed that three appliances remained at the scene. Fauldhouse Today It comes as an 'extreme' risk of wildfires was issued until Monday due to the warm, dry weather. Fauldhouse Today
At it's height 50 firefighters and a helicopter were tackling the fire.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the incident highlighted the need to reverse cuts to fire and rescue services.
It comes as an 'extreme' risk of wildfires was issued until Monday due to the warm, dry weather.
People who live within or who may enter rural environments have been urged to exercise caution. Somesortofsponge People who live within or who may enter rural environments were urged to exercise caution. Somesortofsponge
The Scottish Greens claimed the fire, as well as the extreme wildfire warning issued across the country, signals that Scotland is on the frontline of the climate crisis.
MSP Ariane Burgess said: 'We aren't even in the height of our summer yet and we are already seeing our woodlands burning and warnings in place across much of the country.
'We should all be grateful to the firefighters who are risking their lives and putting their safety on the line to protect us and our communities.
'It's not just the immediate threats they face, but also the lifelong increased health risks from exposure to smoke and toxic substances.
'We need to do everything we can to ensure that they are well supported and properly equipped for the growing threats that we face from increasing temperatures. Yet, in some parts of rural and island Scotland the fire service is facing a challenge to fill the crews, and some of their stations are in bad need of upgrade.'
The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.
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