Wildfire Warning Extended Across Scotland: What Residents Must Avoid

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-21 11:41 3 min read

Aerial view of a Scottish mountain with dense trees and low-lying atmospheric mist.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has extended its ‘very high’ wildfire risk warning for the Central Highlands, Southern Scotland and Eastern Scotland until Friday, 24 July 2026. People living in or visiting these regions should avoid outdoor fires, barbecues and all other open flames while the warning remains in effect.

The extension was announced on 20 July by SFRS in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum. The service has also asked people across Scotland to remain vigilant, even where a specific warning is not in place.

Areas affected and how long the warning lasts

The warning covers three broad parts of Scotland:

Central Highlands
Southern Scotland
Eastern Scotland

It now remains in place through Friday, 24 July. Residents, day visitors and people planning time outdoors in these areas should adjust their activities accordingly. The clearest preventive action is to avoid open flames completely, rather than assuming a small fire can be controlled safely.

SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin said people can still enjoy the warmer weather but must do so responsibly. The service warned that a single spark can cause significant damage and stressed that there is no such thing as a harmless fire in the affected conditions.

Current fires in Glenmore and Edinburgh

The extended warning comes while firefighters are dealing with two active incidents. SFRS remains in attendance at a wildfire in the Glenmore area of the Cairngorms National Park, which has been burning since Wednesday. Crews are also attending a grassfire at Arthur’s Seat in central Edinburgh.

Wildfire Warning Extended Across Scotland: What Residents Must Avoid

According to SFRS, wildfires and other large outdoor fires can damage the environment and cause substantial disruption to communities. The two incidents underline why the warning applies both to countryside destinations and open spaces close to populated areas.

Activities to avoid during the warning

SFRS advice for affected areas is direct:

Do not light outdoor fires.
Do not use barbecues.
Avoid open flames completely.
Stay alert to anything that could create a spark near dry vegetation.
Share the warning with family, friends and visitors who may be planning outdoor activities.

People using Scotland’s countryside can also consult the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for guidance on responsible behaviour outdoors. Anyone outside the named warning regions should still take care, as SFRS has asked everyone in Scotland to remain vigilant.

How to report a large outdoor fire

If you see a large outdoor fire, call 999 immediately and do not attempt to intervene. Give emergency services the location and any other relevant information available so crews can respond quickly.

The latest confirmed statements about the Glenmore wildfire and the Arthur’s Seat grassfire are available through the official Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.

Source: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News

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Information sourced directly from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service official news portal.

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