SFRS ask public to exercise caution after issuing extreme wildfire warning

AN EXTREME risk of wildfire warning has been put in place across North East, East and central Scotland until the 17th of April.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have also placed the risk across Western Scotland from the 15th-17th of April.

The very high – extreme warning – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – remains in place until 17^th April.

SFRS has urged people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution.

SFRS say that wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.

Local Senior Officer Bruce Farquharson said: “We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

“Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.

“Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires – as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.

“These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”