SCOTS have been urged not to light fires outdoors amid a warning of a “very high risk” of wildfires.
The alert, which was issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is in place on Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25 and covers the south and west of Scotland.
Group Commander Niall McLennan, a wildfire tactical advisor with the SFRS, said: "People living in the south and west of Scotland should be extra cautious over the next few days and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame outdoors.
“The key issues over the next few days are sunshine, warm air temperatures, low humidity and moderate to strong winds.
READ MORE: Firefighters tackle one wildfire every day in Scotland during peak season
“During this period of high risk, fires could ignite easily, spread fast and burn with high intensity.”
Firefighters tackled an average of one wildfire every day across Scotland during spring and early summer last year.
There were 133 incidents between March and June 2023, typically the busiest time of the year for wildfires in Scotland.
Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, the SFRS said.
The service added that it issues wildfire warnings in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum.
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