‘Extreme risk’ of wildfires across Scotland as crews tackle 10-acre blaze

A fire that broke out in Arran in April (Picture: Police Scotland/PA Wire)

An extreme risk warning for wildfires has been issues across mainland Scotland, as crews battle a 10 acre blaze.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is tackling a major wildfire in Fauldhouse, West Lothian.

It said the blaze covered a wooded area of around 40,000 square metres, which is equivalent to five and a half football pitches in size.

An SFRS spokesperson said: ‘We received the call at 11.43am.

‘We currently have six appliances in attendance plus two special appliances.

‘It’s a large area of trees alight, it’s 200 metres by 200 metres. Crews remain in attendance.’

Earlier the SFRS said dry, warm weather was had heightened the risk for wildfires and asked the public to be careful with naked flames in the countryside.

The latest Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) report, meanwhile, shows water levels in many rives across the country are low due to a lack of rain.

A helicopter dousing a wild fire with water on the Isle of Bute in April (Picture: 2025 Getty Images)

The extreme risk warning for fires is in place until Monday.

A number of fires broke out in Scotland last month.

Almost 30,000 trees were destroyed on Arran, while campers and hikers had to be evacuated from Glentrool in Galloway have.

The fires came after temperatures reached 23C on April 5, which was the hottest day of the year.

Scotland experiences on average 170 wildfires each year, 80% of which are between March and May.

Most are started by people.

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