Public urged to play their part in reducing incidences of wildfire

And to end the week, with very hot weather being forecast for most of the country* a timely warning over the heightened wildfire risk.

Public urged to play their part in reducing incidences of wildfire - Forestry and Land Scotland

fire engine parked on reough grass with three firefighters in turn outs stanind in front and clouds of smoke billowing from the moorland behind and to one side — Firefighters at Cannich (photo via FLS)

Forestry and Land Scotland has joined with SFRS in urging anyone who is planning to visit the countryside to help save lives by exercising extreme caution.

The call comes as fire crews, foresters and a host of land management partners tackle wildfires across Scotland that are placing people at significant risk, either those at the scenes of fires or members of the public who rely on a swift response in emergency situations.

Simon Hodgson, FLS Chief Executive, said; “This last few weeks has been unusual for the lack of rainfall in some parts of the country as well as the extended period of hot, sunny weather. The risk of wildfire in these conditions is significantly higher than normal and we need everyone to play their part in minimising the risk."

SFRS and partners assisting in supporting roles have been tackling two major fires – Cannich (due west of Drumnadrochit) and at Campsie Fells, north of Glasgow – over the past 15 days. At times there have been as many as 7 fire appliances and around 50 firefighters in attendance. There has also been a smaller fire in Tentsmuir Forest to which fire crews from three areas responded.

SFRS Group Commander, Niall MacLennan, said: “We are urging the public not to discard cigarettes carelessly or light disposable barbecues or campfires in areas where there is vegetation, much of which is tinder dry. As the warm and dry weather continues, so too does the risk of wildfire. The ongoing incident at Cannich, near Inverness and our recent wildfire in Campsie Fells, north of Glasgow shows just how large these fires can become. It would only take a tiny spark on dry vegetation to cause a wildfire at this time of year. Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code if you're heading into the countryside this weekend as the wildfire warning continues."

*The CJS Office, on the coastal side of the North York Moors, is still very chilly with low double digit temperatures, but at least the sun has reappeared after a week!