An extreme warning for wildfires has been issued across Scotland after fire crews took days to contain a blaze in West Lothian, mate. The warning is in place from May 14 until May 19, and was issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum. This comes after a massive wildfire broke out near Fauldhouse on Saturday, May 10. Around 50 firefighters were called to tackle the flames, which affected 40,000 square metres of woodland. At its peak, the fire covered an area equivalent to five and a half football pitches, reports the Daily Record, ya know.
People living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke, which is not really surprising given the circumstances. The vast majority of wildfires are started by human behavior, and the SFRS is urging communities to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames while this warning is in place. Area Commander Michael Humphreys is the SFRS Wildfire Lead and said: “Responsible human behavior can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, you know what I mean. That’s why we’re urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time. It only takes one spark to start a wildfire, and things can get out of hand very, very quickly, mate. Discarded cigarettes and unsupervised campfires pose a significant threat, so it’s vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times.”
Remote and rural communities, in particular, are impacted by wildfire, which is a real shame. Area Commander Humphreys added: “Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage, mate. 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 air-polluting gases into the atmosphere, you know. The SFRS has an array of wildfire prevention and safety advice on its website, so be sure to check it out for more information, mate.
