Firefighters tackle wildfire on Aberdeen hill amid 'very high to extreme' warning

Firefighters tackled a wildfire on a hill in Aberdeen amid a “very high to extreme” danger warning in place across Scotland.

Crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were called to the Gramps in the Torry area of the city around 8.55pm on Friday.

Six appliances were sent to the scene with crews leaving in the early hours of Saturday.

Police Scotland said the fire was extinguished by crews and there were no reports of any injuries.

Enquiries are said to be ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.

It comes amid a very high to extreme warning in place across the whole country for risk of wildfire.

The same warning was in place last week with crews fighting fires in the Stirling and East Dunbartonshire areas.

Six appliances were sent to the scene with crews leaving in the early hours of Saturday. STV News

Flames of two metres high were extinguished at Gartur Moss, Port of Menteith, when the alarm was raised at 12.27pm on Wednesday.

Five fire engines were at the scene on Thursday morning tackling the blaze which the fire service described as half a kilometre long.

Emergency services were also called to the scene of a wildfire in the Kilpatrick Hills near Milngavie at around 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Group commander Garry Douglas, an SFRS tactical adviser, said: “During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly, and burn with high intensity.

“At this time of year in early spring, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation across large areas of countryside. This essentially acts as a fuel for fire.

“There are currently vast areas that are tinder dry and vulnerable, which provides all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.

“Human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors, especially over the coming days of predicted sunshine.

“By following some simple but key advice, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire occurring.”