Heat map issued by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Scottish Fire and Rescue urges public to take care as high to extreme danger assessments come into force
Scotland is facing a very high to extreme risk of wildfires over the coming days, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has warned. The alert, issued in partnership with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, comes into effect from Wednesday 7 May and will remain in place until Monday 12 May. Officials say the fire danger assessment escalates over the period, with an "extreme" warning covering much of mainland Scotland by Saturday. Michael Humphreys, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Wildfire Lead, urged caution, saying: "We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame." The warning covers all of Scotland from midweek, with the highest risk focused on the north from Friday, before extending across the mainland over the weekend. Wildfires, which can be sparked by careless outdoor activity, pose a serious threat to rural communities, wildlife and the environment. Mr Humphreys added: "Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires." The public is being reminded to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and act responsibly to prevent avoidable fires. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has emphasised that human behaviour plays a critical role in reducing wildfire risks, and even a small flame can cause large-scale destruction under dry conditions. More information can be found Here
