First wildfire warning of the year issued

The first official wildfire alert of the year has been issued, warning of a very high risk of wildfire in northern and north-east Scotland.

It urges people in those areas to avoid lighting fires outside throughout the warning period, which covers Friday and Saturday.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued the warning in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum.

Fire service area commander Robert Lennox said: “There’s no such thing as a harmless fire. Every spark, even the smallest, has the potential to become a wildfire and cause a large amount of damage.

“As spring approaches, we often find vast areas of dead and dry vegetation across the countryside which has just finished thawing. These vulnerable areas are essentially wildfire fuel.

“Most wildfires are human caused, which means they are also preventable. It is imperative that we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors – not just during a period of heightened risk, but all year long.

“We ask the public to stay alert to conditions, watch for our wildfire danger assessments, and share this guidance with your family, friends and visitors.

“Together, we can protect our landscape, wildlife, and communities.”

The fire service issued 14 wildfire warnings last year, with the final one in October – which it said was well beyond the typical timeframe for heightened wildfire risk in Scotland.

Last year also saw what was said to have been the largest wildfire ever recorded in the United Kingdom, around Carrbridge and Dava Moor in the Highlands.

The Scottish Government said this “demonstrated with unprecedented clarity how vulnerable our landscapes, communities and infrastructure have become to a changing climate”.

It recently released its wildfire strategic action plan which aims to set out a co0ordinated approach to preventing, preparing for, and responding to wildfires in Scotland amid climate change.

The fire service also recently launched its annual wildfire prevention and awareness campaign.