An 'extreme' wildfire warning has been issued for the north east of Scotland, with the rest of the country facing a 'very high' risk of fires amid soaring temperatures.
Aberdeen Live reports that the extreme alert covers Deeside, the Cairngorms and the Banff and Buchan Coast. Parts of the central belt, Lothians and Borders are facing similar danger until June 10, when the alert is expected to expire.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has warned that rural and remote communities are at particular risk. Members of the public have been advised to take extra care and avoid increasing the risk of wildfires.
Wildfire risk has been exacerbated by warm, dry conditions that are ripe for fire to spread across grasslands and woodlands. The warning comes as firefighters continue tackling an inferno in Cannich, near Inverness, which began on Sunday May 28.
The blaze, visible from space, is believed to have started because of a campfire. Fire bosses warned such events are increasingly likely because of climate change.
Station Commander John Harvey said: "We know that many people will be hoping to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good, but we urge everyone to make sure that they don’t increase the chance of wildfire.
"That means being aware of the risks and following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Wild and grass fires can start by the careless disposal of cigarettes and barbecues or campfires left unattended.
"They then have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land, wildlife and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.”
Firefighters have also been tackling a blaze in the Campsie Fells near Glasgow that broke out on Tuesday. Crews have been using helicopters laden with giant water tanks to "waterbomb" the flames.
SC Harvey added: “During this time of the year, many firefighters across Scotland are preparing to actively tackle wildfires as they work to protect our communities. However, many of these fires are preventable so please read our safety advice and enjoy the weather responsibly.”
It comes as the National Trust for Scotland also released a warning about the dangers of fires in the wild. The heritage charity shared pictures of damaged grasslands and rocks due to campfires at two popular beauty spots.
Posting pics from Ben Lawers and Ben Lomond on Facebook, they wrote: "We are saddened to see so many recent examples of campfires at our outdoor places that leave scorched ground and hazardous waste behind.
"It is extremely dangerous to have fires on open hills in this dry weather, and it has a huge impact on both the hill vegetation and wildlife at this crucial time at the start of the nesting season.
"Scotland’s outdoor access law says ‘where possible’ use a stove rather than making a campfire. We say, if you love our landscapes, always go with the stove option as it causes far less long-term damage in areas with a high volume of campers and camper vans.
"If you still wish to light a fire, choose your fire site carefully. Lighting fires under trees can damage tree root systems. Please also avoid areas of dry vegetation or peaty soils, which will continue to burn (underground and hidden from sight) and can cause wild fires. If you’re unsure, don’t take the risk!"
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