Scrub blaze risk sparks public plea
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WILDFIRE risks have sparked a warning from the emergency services.
The Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) has urged people to do everything they can to minimise the chance of brush and scrubland fires now that the arrival of spring has encouraged more people out into the countryside.
This time of year is a particular danger, with new growth only just beginning to show and the dead vegetation of last summer drying out.
Michael Bruce, the vice-chairman of the SWF, said: "At the start of spring there is often a lot of dead vegetation leftover from last year.
"This fuel can dry out quickly when there is overnight frost, followed by sunny days with higher temperatures and lower humidity levels."
It is now the time of year when the risk of wildfire is at its highest and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it was already working closely with land managers and appealing to tourists and communities to help reduce the number of fires in a bid to protect the countryside and its residents.
SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Andy Coueslant is chairman of the SWF. The senior officer said: "Raising awareness is key to reducing the risk. Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage.
"Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires – as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
"Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting so it's crucial people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and follow the countryside code."
The public can help prevent wildfires by making sure they dispose of litter and smoking materials carefully while in rural areas.
For further advice and information about wildfires and how to prevent them visit www.firescotland.gov.uk
The SFRS website also has a link to the Muirburn Code and there is more advice in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
