A WILDFIRE has broken out above a village in West Dunbartonshire amid an “extreme risk” alert across Scotland.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was alerted to the fire in the Kilpatrick Hills, near Old Kilpatrick in Dunbarton, at around 2.13pm on Thursday.
One fire engine was initially sent to the scene but crews called for an additional three appliances after assessing the blaze.
Firefighters worked to get the blaze under control but were forced to leave the scene due to loss of light.
Crews are set to revisit the site first thing on Friday morning.
A SFRS spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.13pm on Thursday 20 March, to reports of a wildfire in the Kilpatrick Hills, near Old Kilpatrick in Dunbarton.
“Operations Control initially mobilised one appliance to the scene and on arrival crews called for the additional attendance of another three appliances.
“Firefighters worked to bring the wildfire under control. Due failing light crews have now left the scene however they will revisit at first light tomorrow morning.
“There is no immediate threat to life or nearby property.”
Lauren Oxley, SNP councillor for Clydebank Waterfront, shared an image of the “worrying” blaze on Twitter/X.
Worrying to see the Kilpatrick hills on fire 😢 The Fire and Rescue Service are aware of the situation and are working hard to tackle it - thanks to all of the crew. pic.twitter.com/SZ0E2XxTFg
— Cllr Lauren Oxley (@LaurenOxleyx) March 20, 2025
“The Fire and Rescue Service are aware of the situation and are working hard to tackle it – thanks to all of the crew,” she told followers.
It comes as firefighters have warned of the risk of extreme wildfires across Scotland bringing the threat of “devastation” to farmland, wildlife and woodland.
SFRS has urged people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution.
A very high danger assessment—released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF)—will be in force in all low-lying areas and the central Highlands on Thursday.
⚠️A very high wildfire warning is in place across central and south-west Scotland. Moving to low-lying areas on Thursday and Central Highlands on Friday. An EXTREME wildfire warning will cover all low-lying areas in Scotland on Friday.⚠️ Read more: https://t.co/G2h0DgErep pic.twitter.com/vx5eOWymWv
— Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) March 17, 2025
It follows an initial warning that covers central and south-west Scotland between Monday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 19.
On Friday, the extreme danger assessment covers all low-lying areas in Scotland.
Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.
