An extreme risk of wildfires has been put in place in parts of Scotland as the country enters its fourth week of warnings.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announced on Thursday that the north west Highlands have been given a ‘very high’ warning, whilst all other areas of Scotland face an ‘extreme’ rating.
Members of the public are being cautioned that even the smallest flame can spread with intensity and can devastate large areas.
The current warnings remain in place until Saturday, however, SFRS say they could be extended further as the warm weather continues.
Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can often be preventable.
SFRS works with land managers, communities and other safety partners to prevent these incidents from occurring.
This week fire crews tackled a blaze at Aberdeen beach north of the River Don, next to the Donmouth Local Nature Reserve.
Crews have also been tackling what has been described as “one of the biggest wildfires in UK history” in the Highlands.
More than 30 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze in Cannich, near Inverness, measuring approximately 8km by 8km after the flames broke out on Sunday, May 28.
STV NewsSFRS group commander Niall MacLennan said: “We are urging the public not to light disposable barbecues or campfires in areas where there is vegetation, much of which is tinder dry or to discard cigarettes carelessly.
“As the warm and dry weather continues, so too does the risk of wildfire. The recent wildfire incidents at Cannich and Daviot, near Inverness and Campsie Fells, north of Glasgow show just how large these fires can become.
“It would only take a small ignition on dry vegetation to cause a wildfire at this time of year.
“Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code if you’re heading into the countryside this weekend as the wildfire warning continues.”
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