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Certain regions of Scotland face a significantly elevated risk of wildfires over the coming days. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), working alongside the Scottish Wildfire Forum, has issued warnings specifically for parts of the central Highlands, as well as southern and eastern Scotland. This advisory went into effect on Wednesday and will remain active through Monday, prompted by several consecutive days of hot and dry weather conditions across much of the country.
Kevin Dingwall, a wildfire tactical adviser with the SFRS, emphasized the importance of public caution during this period. He advised people to take straightforward precautions to avoid igniting fires, highlighting how the current hot, dry environment increases wildfire risks everywhere in Scotland—even in areas not explicitly under warning. Dingwall stated, “Wildfires can destroy property, landscapes and wildlife. That’s why it’s so important that everyone takes extra care during these conditions.”
This wildfire alert follows recent climate data and incidents highlighting changing weather patterns in the UK. Earlier this week, the Met Office released a report noting that what were once considered extreme weather events are becoming increasingly ordinary. The report highlights warming trends in northern parts of Britain, which are now experiencing temperatures previously typical of southern England, indicating a shifting climate.
Michael Byrne, a climate scientist at St Andrews University, discussed the broader context of these fires during an interview with BBC Radio Scotland. He referenced last year’s devastating “megafire” on Dava Moor, near Grantown-on-Spey and Forres, which burned for four days starting on 28 June and destroyed an area of moorland equivalent to what usually burns across the entire UK in a year. Byrne explained how, globally, wildfires and burned areas are rising with clear links to climate change. He noted that milder winters with increased rainfall foster greater vegetation growth, which subsequently dries out and becomes more flammable as Scotland warms—with temperatures having risen by over one degree since pre-industrial times. Additionally, Christopher Blanchett, senior weather presenter at BBC Scotland, pointed out that parts of the west Highlands recently experienced a heatwave, defined as three consecutive days with temperatures over 25°C. Regions like the Cairngorms went without significant rain for at least a week, further drying soil and vegetation and elevating the wildfire risk, a situation unlikely to improve immediately even if rain occurs
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