Watch as wildfire takes hold in field near Stepps railway ahead of 'extreme' warning

A wildfire took hold of a field in North Lanarkshire over the weekend, ahead of an “extreme” risk warning for similar incidents across the country.

ScotRail confirmed that a fire stretching 700x400m had broken out near the railway in Stepps on Saturday afternoon.

Trains were diverted via Croy and services did not call at Springburn, Robroyston, Stepps, Gartcosh, Greenfaulds and Cumbernauld while the incident was ongoing.

The disruption was cleared a few hours after the fire started.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent four fire engines to the scene near to Woodhead Road in Chryston.

There were no casualties, and crews carried out a reinspection the following morning to ensure the area was safe.

Scotland

Extreme wildfire warning across Scotland amid threat of ‘devastation’

Very high and extreme risk alerts are in place across the country this week.

It comes as firefighters have warned of the risk of extreme wildfires across Scotland bringing the threat of “devastation” to farmland, wildlife and woodland.

SFRS has urged people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution.

A very high danger assessment—released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF)—will be in force in all low-lying areas and the central Highlands on Thursday.

It follows an initial warning that covers central and south-west Scotland between Monday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 19.

On Friday, the extreme danger assessment covers all low-lying areas in Scotland.

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.

ScotRail confirmed on Saturday afternoon the fire took hold near the railway in the Stepps area. STV News

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 4.06pm on Saturday, March 15, to reports of a fire in the open near to Woodhead Road, Chryston.

“At its height, Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances to the scene and firefighters extinguished a grass fire extending to 700x400m.

“There were no casualties and a reinspection of the area was carried out the following morning to ensure the area was made safe.”