Wildfires ravage Scotland’s largest forest reserve, with emergency services battling the blaze as helicopters try to extinguish the flames.
Emergency services were called to Glentrool in Galloway, southern Scotland, at about 11.50pm on Friday, with fire crews still battling the blaze as of Saturday afternoon.
The Glentrool wildfire occurred in 2013, near the village of New Galloway in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The fire burned for several days, engulfing over 1,500 hectares of land.
It was one of the largest wildfires in Scottish history, causing significant damage to the environment and local wildlife.
The blaze was eventually brought under control by firefighters from Scotland and England.
The incident highlighted concerns about wildfire prevention and management in the region.
Police have urged people to stay away from the area, while helicopters are being used to try and extinguish the flames that have also affected Merrick Hill, Ben Yellary, and Loch Dee. One appliance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is currently at the scene.
A similar wildfire had been reported in around the same area on Thursday, covering approximately 1.5 miles (2.4km). This year has already seen a significant increase in wildfires across the UK, with 286 incidents recorded so far, more than 100 above the number recorded in the same period in 2022.
Scotland's wildfire risks are mainly fueled by dry heather and gorse, which can ignite easily.
According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, most wildfires occur during periods of hot and dry weather.
The organization reports that between 2015 and 2020, an average of 1,200 wildfires occurred annually in Scotland.
The country's rural areas are particularly prone to wildfires, with many incidents occurring near popular hiking trails and tourist destinations.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has warned that it needs ‘long-term and sustained investment’ to cope with the climate crisis and increased demand on its services. The council has expressed concerns about the government’s ability to continue coping with significant increases in wildfires, given current budgets are already under strain.
Climate change refers to the long-term warming of the planet due to an increase in average global temperatures.
This phenomenon is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial agriculture, which release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.
As a result, the Earth's temperature has risen by about 1°C since the late 19th century, leading to more frequent natural disasters, sea-level rise, and altered ecosystems.
Climate change is driving increases in extreme weather events, such as wildfires, according to Phil Garrigan, chairman of the NFCC. Responding to wildfires requires a lot of resource and often over long periods of time, which can put pressure on other fire and rescue service activities. The NFCC has emphasized the need for ‘long-term and sustained investment’ to ensure that communities remain safe.
As a result, fire services in Scotland, Wales, and England have issued warnings against barbecues and campfires in open spaces this weekend, as well as urging people to dispose of cigarettes properly.
