Latest news with #MichaelHumphreys
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
All of Scotland at 'extreme' wildfire risk amid no flame plea
The hot, dry weather makes ideal conditions for fire to spread and most wildfires are caused by human activity. Area commander Michael Humphreys, SFR wildfire lead said: "Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting. Read More: "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." An extreme wildfire warning map for all of Scotland (Image: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) Remote and rural communities, in particular, are impacted by wildfire. Area Commander Humphreys 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." The SFRS has an array of wildfire prevention and safety advice on its website.
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Extreme wildfires: Scotland warned against naked flames outdoors 'at all costs' this weekend
With an extreme risk of wildfires in place across Scotland this weekend, firefighters have warned the public to avoid naked flames outdoors 'at all costs'. 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... An 'extreme' wildfire warning has been issued across all of Scotland this weekend, as the warm weather looks set to continue. The Scottish public have been warned against open flames outdoors. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are urging people to avoid the use of naked flames outdoors 'at all costs', with much of the country facing an extreme risk of wildfire until Monday, May 19. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They add that the vast majority of wildfires are caused by human behaviour. It only takes one spark to start a wildfire and things can get out of hand very, very quickly.' Area Commander Michael Humphreys, SFR Wildfire Lead It follows on from a previous wildfire warning put in place last week following the driest start to the year in Scotland since 1964. Scottish Water has even urged customers to use supplies sparingly to help supply systems cope with demand as a result of the recent dry weather. Area Commander Michael Humphreys, the SFR 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad '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.' Scotland warned no naked flames outdoors amid extreme wildfire risk Wildfires have the potential to burn for days, devastating large areas of land and wildlife and threatening nearby communities - particularly those in rural locations. Area Commander Humphreys 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of air polluting gases into the atmosphere.'
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway at extreme risk from wildfires due to hot, dry weather
Fire bosses are urging people not to use naked flames outdoors while the warning is in place. Dumfries and Galloway is at an extreme risk from wildfires over the next few days. Fire bosses are urging people not to use naked flames outdoors as the hot, dry weather is set to continue. Wildfires can burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, as was witnessed by a massive blaze in Galloway in early April. The extreme warning came into effect on Thursday and is due to last until Monday. The vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames while this warning is in place. SFRS wildfire lead, Area Commander Michael Humphreys, 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. '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.'
The National
15-05-2025
- Climate
- The National
Warning issued amid 'extreme' Scottish wildfire alert
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. READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: What Scotland needs is real action on land reform 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. READ MORE: I asked Aberdeen residents about GB Energy – and one thing was clear 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."
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Huge wildfire erupts near Scots housing estate amid ‘extreme' blaze warning
It comes hours after SFRS issued an 'extreme' warning for risk of wild fires Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MASSIVE wildfire broke out near a Scots housing estate last night. The gorse blaze reported at around 8.30pm on Wednesday, saw five fire appliances rushing to tackle the wildfire close to homes in Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A wildfire broke out near a Scottish housing estate last night Credit: Fubar News 4 Five fire appliances tackled the wildfire close to homes in Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire Credit: Fubar News 4 Four pumps were still on site before 11pm last night Credit: Fubar News Dramatic images shared by Facebook page FUBAR show towering flames and billowing black smoke dangerously close to the residential area. Four pumps were still on site before 11pm last night. Firefighters confirmed the blaze has been contained and posed no threat to the wider community. This comes just hours after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued an "extreme risk" warning for wildfires across Scotland, lasting from May 15 to 19. Fire chiefs are urging Scots to ditch naked flames as the country faces an "extreme risk" of wildfires from Thursday. With fine weather tempting people into the countryside, officials fear careless campfires and barbecues could spark devastating blazes lasting for days. Scottish Fire and Rescue has ramped up warnings to the highest level jumping from "very high" this week to "extreme" by Friday. Area Commander Michael Humphreys is the SFRS Wildfire Lead and 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. Huge wildfires break out on UK moors sending thick plumes of smoke billowing through sky with road & pub forced to shut "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 run the highest risk of experiencing significant damage, Area Commander Humphreys added. Last week, fire crews tackled a huge blaze at a remote area of forest near Fauldhouse, West Lothian. Emergency crews raced to the scene on Saturday and were still in attendance on Tuesday. At its height, around 50 firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, supported by a helicopter dropping water onto the affected area. And a spate of huge wildfires broke out across the country last month as Scotland was hit by an early April heatwave.
