A warning has been issued for the north and east of Scotland, indicating a “very high” risk of wildfires in the upcoming days. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has advised against lighting any outdoor fires from Saturday until Wednesday. Regions affected include the northern portions of the Highlands, Grampian, Fife, and the east coast down to the Borders. This is the first wildfire alert of 2025.
Michael Humphreys, the area commander, emphasized the rapid ignition and high-intensity spread of fires during elevated risk periods. He pointed out the abundance of bone-dry vegetation in early spring, serving as fuel for fires even in cold weather conditions. Humphreys highlighted the necessity for responsible behavior outdoors to prevent wildfires from occurring.
Last year, firefighters battled numerous wildfires across Scotland. In one incident, the A85 in Argyll was closed due to a blaze that ignited 500 square meters of grass and gorse. Another fire spread to 100 square meters of gorse at Brimmond Hill near Aberdeen in the same month. The fire service dealt with more than one wildfire per day between March and June in 2023, with 48 of the 133 fires spreading to areas exceeding one hectare each. These incidents required significant efforts from firefighters and community partners, with injuries reported in some cases.
Wildfires are defined by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as large, uncontrollable outdoor fires that exceed 1,000 square meters in area. These fires typically occur in areas with combustible vegetation that facilitates rapid spread. Unplanned, uncontrolled, and unpredictable, wildfires require careful vigilance during high-risk periods. Various factors can lead to wildfires, including unattended flames, controlled burns gone wrong, careless cigarette disposal, sunlight passing through glass bottles, and weather conditions like hot, dry spells or cold, dry, sunny weather with strong winds. For more information and guidance, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website offers valuable resources
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