Large wildfire breaks out in East Ayrshire with public urged to avoid area

A wildfire has broken out in East Ayrshire amid an extreme warning for uncontrolled blazes across the country.

Emergency services were called to reports of a wildfire on Rigg Road, Cumnock, at around 11.35am on Thursday.

Six fire engines were sent to the large blaze affecting around 800m of grass.

Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area while three crews remain in attendance.

Officers said there have been no reports of injuries.

It comes after SFRS issues an “extreme” risk wildfire warning across the whole of Scotland until Monday, May 19.

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, and pose a risk to nearby communities.

The fire service warned that the “vast majority of wildfires” are started by human behaviour, and it has urged the public to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames during the current period of dry weather.

Scotland has seen its driest start to the year in 60 years, with only 59% of the long-term average rainfall from January to April.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Around 11.35am on Thursday, May 15, 2025, we were made aware of a wildfire on Rigg Road, Cumnock.

“Emergency services are in attendance and there are no reports of any injuries.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.51am on Thursday, May 15 to reports of grass on fire near Cumnock, Ayrshire.

“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and firefighters are currently working to extinguish a fire affecting a large area of grass measuring approximately 800 metres.

“There are no reported casualties and crews remain at the scene.”