Scotland has been placed on extreme wildfire alert as warm weather grips the country.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning of ‘very high’ to ‘extreme’ wildfire risk across all regions from Wednesday 2 April until Monday 7 April.
This is the third wildfire warning of the year as unseasonably sunny conditions continue into spring.
Fire chiefs are calling on the public to avoid lighting any outdoor fires, including campfires and barbecues.
Vast areas of the Scottish countryside are now extremely dry and dangerously flammable.
The risk is highest in areas where dead vegetation has built up over the winter and has been dried out by recent sunshine.
Group Commander Garry Douglas from SFRS warned that wildfires at this time of year can escalate rapidly.
He said fires can ignite with ease, spread quickly and burn with intense heat due to the dry conditions.
Douglas explained that spring is especially hazardous because of the abundance of bone-dry grass, leaves and shrubs acting as fuel.
He stressed that most wildfires in Scotland are caused by human behaviour.
He urged everyone heading outdoors to act responsibly and think twice before doing anything that might spark a blaze.
Even a small fire left unattended or a carelessly discarded cigarette can trigger a major incident.
The warning covers all rural areas, moorlands, grasslands and forests across the country.
People are being asked to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and avoid any open flames during the warning period.
Campers, walkers and day-trippers are reminded that fire bans and restrictions may also be in place in specific locations.
SFRS has a range of wildfire prevention advice available on their website at firescotland.gov.uk.
Key tips include not lighting fires in dry areas, properly extinguishing cigarettes, and avoiding the use of disposable barbecues.
The public are also urged to report any signs of fire or suspicious activity immediately to emergency services.
With more warm, dry days ahead, the situation remains volatile and could worsen if current conditions persist.
Scotland’s emergency services are on high alert and will be monitoring vulnerable areas closely.
Authorities are asking communities to stay vigilant and do their part to prevent wildfires.
Even simple actions can make a significant difference in keeping Scotland safe this week.
