Crews battling large wildfire in Galloway Forest Park

Crews are battling a Galloway wildfire spanning an area of around 1.5 miles, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said.

SFRS said a fire appliance was deployed to the large grass fire on Thursday after receiving an alert at about 4.14pm.

The affected area is north of Loch Dee in Galloway Forest Park.

Firefighters remained at the scene at 1pm on Friday.

A spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 4.14pm on Thursday April 3 to reports of a large area of grass on fire north of Loch Dee in Galloway Forest Park.

“Operations control mobilised one fire appliance and firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting an area of grass measuring approximately 1.5 miles.

“There are no reported casualties and the crew remain at the scene.”

SFRS has warned there is a very high to extreme risk of wildfire across Scotland from Wednesday April 2 until Monday April 7 as the country enjoys dry and sunny weather.

Together with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, it is urging people to avoid lighting fires outdoors across all areas of Scotland during this time.

Firefighters extinguished a wildfire which broke out near Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire at 11.09am on Wednesday, and another which started in the Kilpatrick Hills near Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire on Tuesday afternoon.

On Thursday at about 2pm, SFRS also extinguished a wildfire at Gartur Moss, Port of Menteith, which broke out at about 12.27pm on Wednesday.

Group Commander Garry Douglas, an SFRS tactical adviser, previously said: “During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly, and burn with high intensity.

“At this time of year in early spring, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation across large areas of countryside. This essentially acts as a fuel for fire.

“There are currently vast areas that are tinder dry and vulnerable, which provides all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.

“Human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors, especially over the coming days of predicted sunshine.

“By following some simple but key advice, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire occurring.”