Wildfire warning issued with north and north east Scotland at 'very high' risk

A warning has been issued for a “very high” risk of wildfires in parts of Scotland this weekend.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says there is a risk of wildfires in the north and north east of the country on Friday and Saturday.

It is the first official wildfire warning issued in 2026, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum.

SFRS is strongly urging the public in these impacted areas to avoid lighting fires outdoors during this period.

Area commander Robert Lennox said: “There’s no such thing as a harmless fire. Every spark, even the smallest, has the potential to become a wildfire and cause a large amount of damage.

“As Spring approaches, we often find vast areas of dead and dry vegetation across the countryside, which has just finished thawing. These vulnerable areas are essentially wildfire fuel.

“Most wildfires are human-caused, which means they are also preventable. It is imperative that we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors – not just during a period of heightened risk, but all year long.

“We ask the public to stay alert to conditions, watch for our wildfire danger assessments and share this guidance with your family, friends, and visitors. Together, we can protect our landscape, wildlife, and communities.”

SFRS issued 14 wildfire warnings in 2025, with the final one of the year distributed in October – well beyond the typical timeframe for heightened wildfire risk in Scotland.