Wildfire warning as lockdown eases
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A very high risk of wildfire remains in place across large parts of Scotland this weekend, the country’s fire and rescue service has warned.
As public lockdown restrictions are eased amid the coronavirus pandemic, people who live within or who may enter any rural environment have been urged to exercise extreme caution.
Area commander Bruce Farquharson of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has stressed that Scotland’s countryside is vulnerable to fire after several weeks of dry weather.
A spate of wildfires could place unnecessary pressure on the emergency services as they already work to support partners and protect the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The "very high" wildfire warning – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – remains in place until Monday.
Mr Farquharson, who is also chair of the SWF, said: “While we appreciate that many people will seek to enjoy the outdoors during this spell of good weather, we urge everyone to make sure that they don’t increase the chance of wildfire.
“We have had very little rain over the past two months, and a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation remains left over from last year – which essentially acts as a fuel for fire.
“As a result, there are vast areas of countryside all over the country that are tinder dry and vulnerable, and have all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.
“We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame, such as disposable barbecues or camp fires.”
Wildfires can start by the careless disposal of barbecues or camp fires left unattended. They then have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, threaten the welfare of nearby communities and place a strain on the emergency services.
During the spring period last year, SFRS crews tackled more than 2000 fires involving grasslands, woodlands and crops – three times as many as the same period in 2018.
Mr Farquharson continued: “We would always stress the importance of being vigilant in areas of countryside, but right now we are in a unique and testing period for all emergency services.
“Large wildfires require huge resources to bring under control, and this has the potential to then impact on our entire structure across Scotland.
“We will always do our utmost to protect our communities, and to save life and property from harm at all times – but we also need the public to help us.
“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”
