Wildfire Risk in Scotland Reaches ‘Very High’ Levels

A wildfire warning exists for Scotland's east and north, with a "very high" risk in both areas, state authorities. There is also an outdoor burning warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) from Saturday until Wednesday because of dry conditions, which could propagate fire at an alarming rate. 

High-Risk Zones and Weather Conditions
Regions that have been affected are northern Highlands, Grampian, Fife, and the east coast to the Borders. It is the first warning of this nature in 2025. Although there has been some cold weather in certain regions, high numbers of dead and dry vegetation make fire outbreaks likely to happen. These are the best conditions for wildfires to emerge and expand.

Human-Caused Fires and Recent Incidents
Scottish wildfires are mostly human-caused. The fire service has asked individuals to be responsible when outdoors. Wildfires can be caused by abandoned barbecues, campfires, cigarettes, or even shattered glass bottles focusing the sun's rays. Controlled burns for land management purposes can also get out of hand.

There have been several wildfires in Scotland throughout history. Glenuig in Lochaber saw a rapidly spreading wildfire in 2024. In May, the A85 in Argyll was closed after 500 square meters of gorse and grass were alight. The second Aberdeen fire burned 100 square meters of gorse on Brimmond Hill. During March to June 2023, Scotland experienced more than 133 wildfires, 48 of which expanded to more than one hectare in size. One of the biggest, the Cannich fire, was seen from space by NASA satellites, and it is thus officially the biggest wildfire ever recorded in the UK.

Understanding Wildfires and Their Causes
Wildfires are huge, raging fires that get out of control and spread very rapidly outside in dry plants. SFRS describes them as unplanned and unpredictable events. They happen most often in dry weather, but the fast spreading of rapid fires also occurs with windy weather in cold temperatures.

Examples of typical causes of wildfires are:

Open fire from bonfires, barbecues, or campfires
Control burns that spread outside of their intended limits
Dropped cigarettes in dry environments
Glass containers placed outside, concentrating the sun and burning parched grass
Parched and windy conditions that speed fire spreading

Conclusion
With a great risk of wildfires in some areas of Scotland, the government has asked citizens to be careful when they venture out. Citizens have been told not to light fires, to properly dispose of cigarettes, and to clear up possible fire causes such as glass bottles. The SFRS is collaborating with conservation agencies to keep an eye on the situation and act promptly in case of any fires.

Source: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Scottish Wildlife Forum.