Scotland hit by 'extreme' wildfire warning as temperatures soar and blazes erupt across the nation
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have issued a whole of Scotland extreme wildfire warning as the nation is hit by a spate of blazes, with emergency services battling to bring the infernos under control
As the mercury rises this weekend, Scotland has been issued an 'extreme' wildfire warning, with several significant fires breaking out across the country. Emergency services have been mobilised to tackle the unprecedented blazes affecting vast areas of land, including both rural and urban locations.
On Friday, emergency teams worked tirelessly to combat fires raging in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran, and Thurso in Caithness. The fires produced enormous plumes of smoke visible for miles around, turning the skies a fiery red.
The intensity of the fires was such that some residents were ordered to evacuate. One kennel even launched a night-time rescue operation to move its animals to safety.
With temperatures expected to reach 20C this Saturday, unusually warm for Scotland at this time of year, fire chiefs have issued an extreme wildfire warning for the whole of Scotland. They are urging people to act responsibly during this crisis, reports the Express.
The warning is set to remain in place for the next 24 hours. It follows a period of exceptionally dry weather, with just 0.2mm of rain recorded in April so far, significantly less than the usual 33mm.
Coupled with temperatures around 4c higher than average, these conditions have created a perfect environment for fires to ignite and spread.
The Met Office reports that Scotland basked in 165 hours of sunshine in the first 11 days of April, a whopping 74% of the usual total for the whole month. Yet this sunny spell has brought with it a worrying spike in dangerous wildfires, now occurring on a near-daily basis.
Alarmingly, these fires have been rampant, igniting across locations such as The Gramps in Aberdeen, the Pentlands near Edinburgh, Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, and several other areas just this week.
One particularly severe grass fire ignited at Fannyside Loch near Cumbernauld last Thursday evening, with firefighters tirelessly working into the next day to control the raging flames.
This very blaze prompted a frantic evacuation at Crowbank Kennels and Cattery, as the fire threatened nearby properties. In a further distressing turn, after securing a safe exit for the animals, owner Eran Yehudai and his wife Fiona faced a second evacuation as the fire encroached on their own residence.
Amidst the volatility of these fire incidents, Michael Humphreys, the national wildfire lead for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, has issued a plea for public vigilance.
He highlighted the human factor in these emergencies, stating: "What we see is the majority of fires, it is human behaviour that starts the fire in the first place."
He called on those venturing into the countryside to be mindful of the dangers, saying: "Enjoy the countryside, it is a sunny day today, but act responsibly.
"Instead of using a barbecue, perhaps consider having a picnic or find a designated area. Remember to take all your rubbish with you; glass can magnify the sun's rays and start a fire, and if you're smoking, ensure your cigarette is completely extinguished."
Despite it not being the peak of Summer and temperatures being relatively modest, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has disclosed that most wildfires they respond to occur between March and June due to seasonal changes.
The transition from Winter to Spring leaves a lot of dead vegetation which, under low humidity and sunny conditions, can quickly dry out and become highly flammable.
This creates an environment where fires can start easily and spread rapidly, exacerbated by dry conditions and wind, leading to potentially devastating effects on people, property, and wildlife.
Ruchir Shah of the Scottish Wildlife Trust highlighted the severe impact of wildfires on "threatened habitats such as woodlands and wetlands", describing the situation as "disastrous" for wildlife.
Speaking to STV, the director of external affairs expressed concern: "It is particularly worrying to see so many fires at this time of year, as many species will be preparing and maintaining nesting sites in order to breed raise their young.
"We would encourage anyone visiting our reserves or other areas in the countryside to be extra careful during this dry spell. Please do not build campfires or discard flammable materials that could worsen the situation."