Grass and woodland fires quadrupled in Scotland over past year

 Devastating fires
impacting areas of grass and woodland quadrupled across Scotland in a year, the
latest figures reveal.

During just a two-month period last summer, firefighters
across the country recorded close to 2500 fires affecting grassland, woodland
and crops. 

The figure is a steep increase on the previous year’s figure
of 624 blazes – captured between June and August.

The impact of large fires in the open can be devastating for
communities, wildlife and farmland, warned Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
(SFRS) Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart.

He said: “We have seen already this year the massive impact
a large fire in the open can have.

“Huge swathes of land can be left ravaged by these fires,
which can spread easily through high winds.

“The SFRS works tirelessly every year with our partners to
help keep communities safe from these types of incidents.

“But communities can help us too. That’s why we are
appealing to people to take great care – it is crucial that people act safely
and responsibly in rural environments and follow the countryside code.

“Just one heat source, like a campfire ember, can cause it
to ignite, and if the wind changes direction even the smallest fire can spread
uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides.

“People can help us by making sure they dispose of litter
and smoking materials carefully while in rural areas.”

The latest stats also reveal an increase in deliberate
primary and secondary fires.

Compared to the same period in 2017, June till August last
year saw intentional secondary fires increase from more than 1700 incidents to
almost 3200.

More than 500 deliberate primary fires were also noted
during the same timeframe.

This week, the SFRS launched its #StampItOut Summer safety
campaign to warn how the Service will do everything in its power to help Police
Scotland trace those risking the safety of communities.

And, according to ACO Haggart, those who set deliberate
fires need to be made aware of the true costs and consequences of their
actions.

He said: “Every firefighter takes their preventative efforts
very seriously – at the end of the day, we’d rather prevent a fire from
happening in the first place.

“In the lead up to summer firefighters, Community Safety
Advocates, teachers and community groups all help in delivering talks designed
to inform young people of the potential consequences of deliberate fires.  Parents and carers can also help us share the
message and achieve our aim of driving down deliberate fires.

“Ultimately I’d urge our communities to support our aim of
reducing deliberate fires.

“These incidents put lives, property and the environment at
risk.  They can also delay firefighters
in getting to a real emergency such as a house fire where every minute counts.

“Firefighters will be there to respond when called upon, but
please think twice before deliberately starting a fire.”

For more on how to stay safe visit
https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/wildfires.aspx