Caution advised as temperatures rise

Speaking on the recent wildfire in the Cannich area, Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Our thoughts are with the firefighters who have been injured tackling the wildfire in the area around Cannich.

due to a lack of fuel load management in some areas.

In the past, the peak season for wildfires in the UK was March to May. However, due to climate change resulting in dead and dry vegetation, the wildfire season has becoming longer and can now last from February to July.

Vigilance for potential risk and signs of fire is strongly recommended for anyone working, living, or enjoying recreation in the countryside.

“Nearly 3,000 hectares of land have already been burned in this fire and it follows on from the huge wildfire near Glenuig in April, which was estimated to be the second largest ever recorded in the UK.

“Wildfires have a devastating impact on wildlife and habitats, generating catastrophic carbon emissions. They are becoming increasingly frequent in Scotland, partly due to climate change and partly

“We urging anyone going out into the countryside to take care and follow guidance in relation to campfire cooking and when the ground is so dry it’s recommended not to use either a campfire or a camping stove.”

For information to help you assess the fire risk in your area, the Met Office’s Fire Severity Index (FSI), provides an assessment of how severe a fire could become if one were to start. It is hosted on the Met Office website on behalf of Natural England and Natural Resources Wales for the purpose of informing fire prevention restrictions on open access land.