First Minister John Swinney has issued a stark warning about the dangers of wildfires, urging the public to 'be vigilant' after two major blazes caused chaos across Scotland. Speaking ahead of a visit to the Cairngorms National Park, where a wildfire that began last week continues to burn, Swinney stressed that the 'dangers cannot be underestimated' from such incidents. A separate wildfire is also raging at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, with the First Minister noting that both fires demonstrate the 'devastating impact wildfires can have on landscapes, properties and people's lives'.
First Minister's Call for Caution
Mr Swinney said: 'I am urging everyone to keep vigilant when they are outdoors and check if the area they are visiting is at risk of wildfires before igniting any flames.' He added that even in areas without an alert, people should be 'very aware of the need to light and extinguish fires and flames responsibly and discard all waste properly, including glass bottles which can easily start grass fires.'
Response and Resources
The First Minister praised the efforts of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews, Police Scotland, land managers, volunteers and other organisations who 'have been absolutely outstanding tackling this substantial fire' in the Cairngorms. 'I want to thank them for keeping people, properties and our natural environment safe,' he added. Helicopters have been conducting waterbombing operations, while fire appliances, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and a wildfire support unit are also involved in the Cairngorms response.
Mr Swinney confirmed that the Scottish Government would continue to work with the SFRS and others 'to ensure they are appropriately resourced', including with specialist wildfire units and helicopter support where needed. He also advised people in affected areas to 'follow the advice of emergency services, avoid active fire locations and exclusion zones and stay updated with guidance from the SFRS and local authorities.'
