Firefighters called to tackle wildfire in Aberdeen on Kincorth Hill amid 'extreme risk' alert

Firefighters were called to battle a wildfire which broke out in Aberdeen after an ‘extreme risk’ alert was issued across the country.

Two fire appliances were dispatched by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to Kincorth Hill following reports of a blaze at around 10.30pm on Thursday night.

Crews remained in the area until 1am before leaving after making the area safe.

The blaze marks the second time a wildfire has taken hold of the area in the last seven days. Six appliances were dispatched to tackle a fire in the Gramps area of Torry on Saturday.

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A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.30pm on Thursday, April 10 to reports of an outdoor fire at Kincorth hill, Aberdeen.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the scene, where crews remained until just before 1am on Friday, April 11 working to make the area safe”.

Fire services have been battling multiple blazes across the country over the past week, including one at Galloway Forest Park, near Glentrool in Dumfries and Galloway, last Thursday.

The blaze burned for at least four days and at its height, there were two fire engines at the scene, assisted by two helicopters dousing the area with water.

A group of campers, comprising of two fathers and their sons, were rescued by the Coastguard and airlifted to safety amid the chaos.

Firefighters were also called to reports of a wildfire off Fannyside Road in Cumbernauld on Thursday night and remain on the scene of a blaze near Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

Michael Humphreys, the national wildfire lead for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), pleaded with the public to act responsibly as the warning covering Friday and Saturday came into effect.

Mr Humphreys said while some might think it unusual to have wildfires at this time of year, SFRS data for the last decade shows “we see the largest number of wildfires between the months of March and June every year”.

He said he hopes the extreme wildfire warning will “make people think if they are going out to enjoy the countryside, to act responsibly, and stop a fire from starting in the first place”.

The firefighter told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “What we see is the majority of fires, it is human behaviour that starts the fire in the first place.”

He urged people heading out to the countryside to think about the risks, adding: “Enjoy the countryside, it is a sunny day today, but act responsibly.

“If you normally use a barbecue maybe think about taking a picnic instead or using a designated area.

“Take all your litter home, glass can reflect and start a fire and if you do smoke just make sure your cigarette is absolutely fully out.”

He added that wet weather last year meant there had not been as many wildfires in 2024, but there have been a “number” of blazes this week and he highlighted the “devastation they can cause to the countryside and the worry for local residents”.