Fire crews are still tackling a large wildfire that broke out in West Lothian as those living nearby have been urged to keep windows and doors closed.
Emergency services were dispatched to the blaze in a woodland area near Fauldhouse at about 12pm on Saturday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that three appliances remain in attendance at the blaze on Monday morning.
At it’s height 50 firefighters and a helicopter were at the scene of the fire.
Fauldhouse TodayIt comes as an “extreme” risk of wildfires was issued until Monday due to the warm, dry weather.
People who live within or who may enter rural environments have been urged to exercise caution.
SomesortofspongeThe Scottish Greens claimed the fire, as well as the extreme wildfire warning issued across the country, signals that Scotland is on the frontline of the climate crisis.
MSP Ariane Burgess said: “We aren’t even in the height of our summer yet and we are already seeing our woodlands burning and warnings in place across much of the country.
“We should all be grateful to the firefighters who are risking their lives and putting their safety on the line to protect us and our communities.
“It’s not just the immediate threats they face, but also the lifelong increased health risks from exposure to smoke and toxic substances.
“We need to do everything we can to ensure that they are well supported and properly equipped for the growing threats that we face from increasing temperatures. Yet, in some parts of rural and island Scotland the fire service is facing a challenge to fill the crews, and some of their stations are in bad need of upgrade.
“Some of these fires have raged for days at a time and have done a huge amount of damage to local livelihoods and habitats. But, most importantly, they have put people in serious danger.
“Scotland is blessed with amazing and iconic landscapes that attract visitors from across the world.
“But they are also homes and places where people live and work, and, with our climate changing around us, they are being put at growing risk and thrust on to the frontline of the climate crisis.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Three fire appliances and special resources remain at the scene of a large outdoor fire affecting forest area near Fauldhouse in West Lothian.
“Operations Control was first alerted to the fire, just off the B7010, at 11.43am on Saturday, May 10.
“At its height, more than fifty firefighters were working at the scene on Saturday, May 10, to make the area safe.
“Local residents are being asked to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed if they are affected by smoke.”
SFRS Wildfire lead Michael Humphreys said: “We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.
“Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant 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.
“These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
