A “very high” risk warning for wildfires has been issued for the north and east of Scotland over the coming days.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said people should avoid lighting any fires outdoors between Saturday and Wednesday.
The affected areas include the northern parts of the Highlands, Grampian, Fife and the east coast stretching down to the Borders.
Its is the first wildfire alert issued in 2025.
Alongside the Scottish Wildlife Forum, the SFRS said fires can easily be fuelled by bone-dry vegetation even in cold conditions.
‘Act responsibly’
Area commander Michael Humphreys warned that fire can ignite and spread very quickly and “burn with high intensity” during any period of heightened risk.
He said: “At this time of year in early spring, even when the weather is still bitterly cold in some areas, 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.”
Mr Humphreys added: “Human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors over the coming days and weeks ahead.
“By following some simple but key advice, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire occurring.”
Firefighters tacked several wildfires across Scotland last year.
In May, one blaze saw the A85 in Argyll close after it set alight 500 square metres of grass and gorse.
Another fire spread to 100 square metres of gorse at Brimmond Hill near Aberdeen in the same month.
The fire service said it saw more than one wildfire a day between March and June in 2023.
Forty-eight of the 133 fires recorded spread to an area of over a hectare each.
Hundreds of firefighters and community partners tackled the blazes over several weeks, with two injured at Cannich.
The Cannich blaze was thought to be the largest recorded in the UK, with Nasa satellites detecting it from space.
How do wildfires happen?
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service defines wildfires as large, uncontrolled outdoor fires that can exceed 1,000 square metres in area.
These typically happen in places with combustible vegetation that acts as fuel to allow the fire to spread rapidly.
They are described as “unplanned, uncontrolled, and unpredictable” and people need to take the greatest care at high-risk times of year.
Common causes of wildfires include:
- Unattended flames – barbecues, campfires, and bonfires that are not properly extinguished
- Controlled burns – These are used to manage land, but can spiral out of control if they go wrong
- Cigarettes – Careless disposal can spark a fire in dry conditions
- Glass bottles – Sunlight shining through a bottle can act like a magnifying glass, focusing heat on dry grass nearby
- Hot and dry weather – Prolonged periods create a “tinderbox environment” where even a small spark can easily ignite a wildfire
- Cold, dry and sunny weather – The combination of low humidity and strong winds can dry out vegetation and fuel wildfires
More information and advice is available from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.
