Tinderbox Scotland

Wildfire warning till Monday as temperatures to top 20C

BONE-dry Scotland has been issued with wildfire and drought alerts ahead of baking temperatures over the bank holiday weekend.

With thermometers expected to top 20C, the Scottish Fire and rescue Service (SFrS) has warned of a ‘very high risk’ of wildfires until Monday.

It comes as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) also issued a water scarcity alert due to the dry conditions.

As temperatures rise in the runup to summer, the build-up of

‘It is crucial people act responsibly’

dead grass and heather left over from last year can dry quickly, creating an increased risk of fire.

The wildfire warning was issued yesterday and remains in place until May 29. It covers eastern, central and southern Scotland.

SFrS Group Commander Niall MacLennan said: ‘Numerous wildfires across Scotland this spring – including one at Kinlochmoidart which spanned three days – have shown how real the danger is in the countryside and how damaging it can be to the environment, wildlife and nearby communities.

‘With rising temperatures this weekend and further dry conditions into next week, wildfires could spread with very high intensity in high-risk areas.

‘It is crucial people act responsibly when enjoying the outdoors and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.’

Meanwhile, businesses have been warned of water scarcity issues due to the dry conditions.

An alert level has been reached for the first time this year in the latest report published by Sepa.

Firms sourcing water from the environment have been advised to look at their usage with the report noting the area around Loch Maree in the Highlands had very low river flows and dry ground conditions.

The risk of water scarcity is categorised in four levels: Early Warning, Alert, Moderate Scarcity and Significant Scarcity.

Areas in southern and central Scotland, and the majority of the north including the Western Isles, are now in Early Warning.

Head of Water and Planning at Sepa, Nathan Critchlow-Watton, said: ‘With very little to no rainfall forecast in the coming days, we expect ground conditions to get drier and river flows to decrease.

The next few months are a crucial time for water demand and we’re urging abstractors to manage water wisely, minimising the need for restrictions to be imposed.’

The warnings come as sunny conditions are forecast for most of Scotland this weekend with temperatures potentially topping 20C in places. The hot spell is expected to last into June, when summer officially starts.

The Met Office says an ‘Azores High’, a high-pressure system that pushes up warm air from the Tropics, is creating the prolonged period of dry, settled weather.