THE fire service and Scottish Wildfire Forum have warned of a “very high” risk of wildfire in some parts of the country in the coming days.
South-west Scotland is covered by the warning on Thursday and one will be in force in eastern Scotland from Friday May 29 until Monday June 1.
It comes as firefighters tackle a gorse fire at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.
Firefighters were called to the scene on the Queen’s Drive side of the park at 9.23am on Wednesday.
The blaze is close to where fire crews dealt with another grass blaze in the Arthur’s Seat area over the previous two days.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) urged people in the warning areas to take care and avoid lighting fires in the open in the coming days.
SFRS head of prevention deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour, who is also a Scottish Wildlife Forum chairperson, said: “Those in affected areas should avoid lighting outdoor fires and remain aware that even a single spark can quickly escalate, causing widespread damage.
“Taking simple precautions can help prevent devastating damage. Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire.
“Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors.
“And if anyone spots an outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
