THERE has been “strong support” for a wildfire warning system similar to flood warnings after a summit last month, the agriculture minister has said.
The Scottish Government hosted a special wildfire summit in October to consider how best to respond to the blazes.
It came in response to Scotland suffering the largest wildfires in living memory this year, with 13 alerts issued this year alone and firefighters attending more than 200 blazes.
The event, which took place in the Cairngorms National Park, involved leading figures from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), along with nature body NatureScotland and Scottish Land and Estates, as well as various land managers and environmental organisations.
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Jim Fairlie, minister for agriculture, spoke at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday to share the outcome of the discussions at the summit.
He said: “There is strong support for a wildfire warning system similar to flood and storm alerts.
“This would improve public understanding and preparedness. A national campaign will be explored using behavioural science and lessons from Covid-19 communications to tailor messaging for different audiences.”
Fairlie said the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has invested millions of pounds in wildfire response and the government was exploring a voluntary system to provide support.
He said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has invested £1.6 million in wildfire response assets including personal protective equipment, all terrain vehicles, fogging unit and drones. Further investment is currently being considered.
“We are exploring a mountain rescue-style voluntary response model with trained wildfire wardens to support local efforts.”
The minister also said the Scottish Government recognised the financial impact wildfires are having on rural businesses and announced a new grant funding of up to £10,000 through the Cairngorms National Park Authority to replace damaged equipment.
He reiterated the delay in proposed muirburn licensing to September 2026.
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Muirburn is a method often undertaken by landowners. It involves the controlled burning of moorland vegetation, primarily heather.
Widespread wildfires hit the Carrbridge and Dava areas of northern Scotland in June and early July. When combined, the fires became the largest such event in Scotland’s history, burning more than 11,000 hectares of moorland and forestry.
Fairlie said: “Wildfires are no longer a seasonal hazard – they are a climate-driven crisis placing immense pressure on our rural communities, our emergency services and the natural environment.
“They devastate landscapes, they threaten people’s homes and businesses, they threaten biodiversity, they damage critical infrastructure, and they release vast amounts of carbon.
“Scotland’s rural terrain, which is rich in biodiversity in extensive peatlands and woodlands, makes us uniquely vulnerable.
“When these landscapes burn they undo years of climate progress in a matter of hours. But when restored and managed properly they can act as powerful carbon sinks and natural firebreaks.”
A roundtable event is set to take place with MSPs next week on the issue.
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