Firefighters spending fourth day tackling ‘major’ West Lothian wildfire

Fire crews are spending a fourth day tackling a “major” wildfire which broke out in a West Lothian forest over the weekend.

At the height of the incident, more than 50 firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze in woodland near Fauldhouse.

A helicopter was also used to drop water onto the burning trees and moorland.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 11.43am on Saturday.

On Tuesday morning, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokesperson confirmed that three appliances remained at the scene.

People living nearby have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.

The fire service had earlier warned of an “extreme” risk of wildfires across mainland Scotland due to the warm, dry weather, which remained in place until May 12.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the incident highlighted the need to reverse cuts to fire and rescue services.

Colin Brown, FBU executive member for Scotland, said: “Firefighters from across central Scotland have been in attendance at this major wildfire.

“They have worked in searing temperatures to try to control its spread and protect the public and nearby property.

“Their commitment and skill has ensured that the fire didn’t spread and cause much further damage or loss of life.

“Sadly, events like this are likely to be more frequent in future as a result of global warming.

“If communities are to be protected we need to reverse the cuts to the fire and rescue service that has resulted in 1,200 jobs lost over the last decade, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Government need to withdraw their proposals to close fire stations and cut yet more fire appliances from community fire stations.

“Representatives from the FBU will be making these points very forcibly to the minister for victims and community safety Siobhan Brown when we meet her this week.”

The Scottish Greens said the fire, as well as the extreme wildfire warnings issued for May 9-12, signalled the country was on the front line of the climate crisis.

MSP Ariane Burgess said: “We aren’t even in the height of our summer yet and we are already seeing our woodlands burning and warnings in place across much of the country.

“We should all be grateful to the firefighters who are risking their lives and putting their safety on the line to protect us and our communities.

“It’s not just the immediate threats they face, but also the lifelong increased health risks from exposure to smoke and toxic substances.

“We need to do everything we can to ensure that they are well supported and properly equipped for the growing threats that we face from increasing temperatures.”

She added: “Scotland is blessed with amazing and iconic landscapes that attract visitors from across the world.

“But they are also homes and places where people live and work, and, with our climate changing around us, they are being put at growing risk and thrust on to the front line of the climate crisis.”

Deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour, of the SFRS, said: “We are currently in the midst of a service delivery review, which aims to ensure that our resources – our staff, stations and appliances – are matched to operational risk and demand across Scotland.

“We have now concluded an options appraisal and development process and a number of change options have been recommended to progress to public consultation in the summer. This remains subject to final approval by the SFRS Board.

“Any permanent changes to our station footprint or how we deliver our services will only come after we have sought views from the public and a final decision has been made by the SFRS Board.”