Tag: wildfire warning

Weekend wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

With the risk of wildfires rated as ‘very high’ in Scotland this weekend and into next week, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has urged the public to take the utmost care in the countryside.

The wildfire warning follows a series of wildfires across Scotland over the past week including a large fire on Ben Lomond which took two days to extinguish.

The weather pattern over the next few days – dominated by high-pressure, variable winds and temperatures peaking at 17°C – increases the risk. 

The warning applies from today, Friday 25 March and lasts until Wednesday 30 March.

·      Central and North East Scotland. Risk rating – VERY HIGH until 28 March
·      Central and South Scotland. Risk rating – VERY HIGH until 30 March

Accumulated dead grass, leaves, twigs and heather on the ground at this time of year dries quickly in light winds and, when ignited, acts as fuel which can spread wildfires over a wide area.

People who live, work or are visiting rural areas, in particular, are being urged to exercise the utmost caution to avoid fires breaking out. 

SFRS Group Commander, Niall MacLennan said: “Numerous wildfires across Scotland this week, including large fires on Ben Lomond and near Mallaig have shown how real the danger of fire is in the countryside and how damaging it can be to the environment, wildlife and nearby communities.

“With rising temperatures this weekend and further dry conditions into next week, wildfires could burn and spread with very high intensity in high-risk areas.

“Therefore, we are asking people to act responsibly when enjoying the outdoors and please think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.”

Wildfire Warning Issued

Second Wildfire Warning issued in March

A wildfire warning has been issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as the weather pattern over the next few days is dominated by high-pressure and strengthening winds.  

The warning starts today, Sunday 20 March, and lasts until Wednesday 23 March. 

•             West and North-East Scotland EXTREME 

•             Rest of Scotland HIGH to VERY HIGH  

At this time of year, in mid-March, there is a lot of dead grass and heather left over from last year which can dry very quickly. People who live, work or visit rural areas are being urged to exercise caution. 

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson, the SFRS Wildfire Lead, said:  “Over the next few days in high risk areas, fires could burn and spread with very high intensity due to the weather conditions. 

“We know how damaging wildfires can be to the environment, wildlife and nearby communities. “We are asking people to act responsibly when enjoying the outdoors and please think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.”

Wildfire warnings issued across Scotland

A very high risk wildfire warning has been issued in Scotland from Saturday, July 24 until Monday, July 26. 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) issued the warning and is urging people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution. 

The alert – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – covers Easter Ross, Central Highlands,and South West Scotland. A moderate to high warning is also in place for Central and Western Scotland. 

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities. 

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry is head of prevention and protection for SFRS. He said: “We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame. 

“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 greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. 

“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

Wildfire warning this weekend

Warm weather and rising wind speeds forecast for this weekend have increased the risk of surface fires across Eastern Scotland. 

The wildfire danger assessment has been issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service today (Friday, July 16) in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF). 

These surface fires could burn and spread with moderate to high intensity over Saturday and Sunday. 

In Easter Ross, Inverness-shire and Morayshire, there could be very high fire intensity with wind speeds the highest on Saturday. 

Area Commander Bruce Farquharson, the SFRS Wildfire Lead, said: “We are in the height of summer and with the warm forecast for the weekend it could bring with it the potential for wildfires, which can devastate vast areas of land and wildlife.

 “As always, we would urge people who live within the high risk regions to be extremely careful. 

“Please act safely and responsibly if you are out and about over the next few days.” 

Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which can be found on the SFRS website.

VERY HIGH risk of wildfire warning in place across Scotland

A VERY HIGH risk of wildfire is in place across all parts of Scotland until Tuesday 1 June, the country’s fire and rescue service has warned.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)has urged people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution.

The ‘very high’ warning –released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – remains in place from Sunday 31 May until Tuesday 1 June.

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.

Area Commander Bruce Farquharson, the SFRS Wildfire Lead, said: “We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

“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 greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.”

Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

SFRS issues extreme wildfire warning


An extreme risk of wildfire is in place across East and North-east of Scotland today and will be in place until Thursday, March 25. 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has urged people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution to help lower the chance of a wildfire starting. 

The extreme warning has been released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF).

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, threatening the welfare of nearby communities. 

SFRS Area Commander Bruce Farquharson said: “We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame. 

“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 greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. 

“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”