A severe wildfire alert covering the entirety of Scotland is currently in effect for the last day, with rain anticipated in certain regions on Sunday. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has stated that fire crews are still present at the sites of ongoing wildfires, and are urging the public to behave responsibly. On the Isle of Arran, mountain rescuers have reported that isolated fires are still burning in Glen Rosa, advising hikers to avoid the area. Furthermore, a fire has been raging for two days in Acharacle in the Highlands, with two fire crews actively working to control it.
The SFRS released the wildfire advisory during an extended period of unusually dry weather. Temperatures have exceeded the April average, with Thursday registering the highest temperature of the year so far in Scotland at 23C (73F) in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. The upcoming Sunday heralds a return to more typical April conditions. Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly expressed, “A change is on the way this weekend, as we bid farewell to the continuous sunshine. High pressure is moving southwards, allowing low pressure to dominate, resulting in increased cloud cover, rain, showers, and lower temperatures.”
The wildfire in Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran was first reported on Thursday around 13:00. Three crews were dispatched to the location, with one crew remaining on the scene until Saturday morning. A helicopter is due to conduct an aerial assessment of the damage later on. Police have informed hillwalkers that the popular Goatfell walk will not be accessible due to safety concerns. Additionally, extinguishing work has been completed after a large grass fire in Cumbernauld in Lanarkshire, which had been burning since Thursday and necessitated the overnight evacuation of a dog kennel and cattery. Owner Eran Yehudai stated that 25 dogs and 10 cats had to be evacuated from the property.
SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour emphasized that the risk of wildfires persists as long as the warm and dry weather endures. He cautioned, “Wildfires have the potential to burn for days, as we’ve seen this week in Dumfries and Galloway, and they spread through vast areas of land in our countryside, which is devastating for those who live nearby.” Barbour urged the public to exercise extreme caution and carefully consider the use of any devices involving open flames
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