East Lothian's first ever barbecue ban lifted following wildfire warnings

A ban on people having barbecues or campfires across East Lothian’s coastal and countryside sites has been lifted, but visitors and locals are being asked to keep fires to beaches only.

The local authority introduced the ban last week after warnings from Scottish Fire and Rescue of a ‘very high risk’ of wildfires as they continued to battle a blaze in the Cairngorms.

It is the first time the council has introduced a ban which covered camp fire and barbecues in all public countryside and coastal areas including public parks and beaches.

A spokesperson for the council said that while the ban is no longer in place they are continuing to advise that fires are on beaches only to keep nature and visitors safe.

And they revealed that despite widespread warnings and the publicity surrounding the devastating wildfires in the Cairngorms and abroad people were still found breaking the ban while rangers also came across unattended fires.

The spokesperson said: “Over the weekend our countryside rangers did encounter some people who were having fires and also some unattended fires smouldering. Constructive conversations were held and they understood why there was a ban although said they were previously unaware.

“Our rangers’ role is to educate the public and raise awareness of checking for high risk of fire and ensuring safe behaviours during countryside visits.

“They ask that all those visiting the countryside make themselves aware of the current advice to ensure that all, including nature and people, have a safe and enjoyable time while out and about.”

The blaze in Cairngorms National Park has burned for almost two weeks and destroyed 10 square miles of moorland and forestry.

Last week fire crews were also called out to tackle another wildfire at Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park.