Fire chiefs have given an urgent warning to Edinburgh for the coming days after a spate of blazes across the city on Thursday.
On July 21, emergency crews were called out to a number of incidents in the capital and surrounding areas, including a gorse fire in Bonnyrigg.
Similar blazes took place at the Hailes Quarry Park near Longstone, where four huge areas of grass caught alight, burning into the night.
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Speaking on Friday, the SFRS confirmed that both blazes had been brought under control, with the Hailes Park incident seeing four areas of around 50 metres by 50 metres scorched.
In a warning to locals for the days ahead, the SFRS have suggested locals should "avoid lighting outdoor fires altogether", as well as acting responsibly.
Bruce Farquharson, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer with SFRS said: “In a prolonged period of high temperatures, the risk of wildfires breaking out increases significantly.
“At this time of year, the ground vegetation is a combination of green growth, with a relatively high moisture content, and dead vegetation lying on top which can easily ignite and spread quickly over a large area.
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“With sensible precautions, the public can play a crucial part in prevention. Taking some simple steps can prevent vast damage to the environment and protect emergency service workers from attending avoidable incidents.
“During the next few days, I would urge the public to avoid lighting fires outdoors altogether but if you must, check for restrictions or permissions required by the landowner and make sure you use a fire safe pit or container that can be properly extinguished before you leave.
“We need people to be aware of how quickly things can get out of hand - the smallest outdoor ignition can spread rapidly and burn for days. Therefore, we are asking people to act responsibly when enjoying the outdoors and please think twice before using anything involving a naked flame."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed crews were deployed to the park fire on Thursday night. Images also emerged of a fire in the open in Craigmillar.
The spokesperson added: “We were alerted at 10.15pm on Thursday, July 21 to reports of a fire in the open at Hailes Quarry Park, Edinburgh.
“Operations Control mobilised one fire appliance and firefighters extinguished four fires affecting grass, each measuring approximately 50 metres by 50 metres.
“There were no reported casualties and crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”
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