A WARNING for extreme wildfires has been issued across Scotland by firefighters this month.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has issued a warning of wildfires to people who live within or who may enter rural areas of Scotland and has asked them to exercise caution.
A “very high” danger assessment will come into force on Thursday and will cover all low-lying areas and the central Highlands.
The announcement from SFRS follows an initial warning which covers central and south-west Scotland between Monday to Wednesday this week.
The extreme danger assessment will cover all low-lying areas in Scotland this Friday.
SFRS have warned that wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate large areas of land and threaten nearby communities.
Group Commander Murray Dalgleish, who is a Wildfire Tactical Advisor for the SFRS, said Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by fires.
He 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.”
