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Scotland Issues Wildfire Warning for Highlands and East Until Monday
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Wildlife Forum warned of high wildfire risk across central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland from Wednesday to next Monday. Forecast temperatures reach 28C near Fort William with very dry conditions. Firefighters elsewhere in the UK continue to battle multiple blazes amid a prolonged heatwave.
Jul 15, 1:19 AM·1m read1 source
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildlife Forum issued a wildfire warning for central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland effective from Wednesday until next Monday, The Bbc reported. Temperatures are forecast to reach 28C on Wednesday around Fort William, with very dry weather expected for the rest of the week especially in central and western Scotland.
Scotland is likely to experience a heatwave this week, defined as temperatures of 25C and above recorded for three consecutive days.
Firefighters across the UK face extreme pressure due to the prolonged heatwave. Major incidents were declared in Conwy, north Wales, and in Glossop, Derbyshire, on Sunday, with crews still tackling flames on Tuesday. Wildfires over the weekend also affected Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon and Somerset.
Scotland recorded its hottest day of the year so far at 31.2C at Threave, Dumfries and Galloway at the end of June. During that period gritters were deployed to spread sand over main roads to reflect heat and cool the surface. Kevin Dingwall, the Scottish fire service's wildfire tactical adviser, said hot, dry conditions increase the risk of wildfire across Scotland.
He urged people to avoid lighting outdoor fires or barbecues in affected areas and stated there is no such thing as a harmless fire. Dingwall advised that anyone seeing a large outdoor fire should call 999 immediately and provide the location and any other relevant information.
