Good evening all the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have warned this evening of an extreme risk of wildfire across parts of the Western Isles during Thursday and Friday.
From the SFRS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/firescot
“An ‘EXTREME’ risk of wildfire is in place across Scotland’s west coastal and island areas until Friday
Despite snow and freezing conditions across central / eastern Scotland, fuel conditions are very different on the west coast. Please exercise caution.”
Despite snow and freezing conditions across central / eastern Scotland, fuel conditions are very different on the west coast. Please exercise caution.”
Also from the SFRS the below is included in this link https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/news-campaigns/news/2021/02/wildfire-warning-in-place-across-west-coast-until-friday-12-february.aspx
People who live within or who may enter any rural environments have been warned to exercise caution.
The ‘extreme’ warning – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – remains in place until Friday 12 February. This covers the majority of the west coast and island areas, from the Highlands to Dumfries and Galloway, via Argyll and Bute and Ayrshire and the Western Isles.
Area Commander Farquharson, who is also chair of the SWF, said: “There may have been a lot of snow in the eastern and central areas of Scotland, but that is not the case in the western coastal areas and fuel conditions are very different.
“At this time of year, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation left over – which essentially acts as a fuel for fire.
“As a result, there are currently vast areas of countryside all over the country that are tinder dry and vulnerable, this provides all of the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.
“We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.”
The above from SFRS.
Western Isles 10/2/21
There have already been some fires reported to us (Western Isles Weather) this evening. These are either under control or SFRS are on scene and dealing with. Please refer to them and any advice given.
Benbecula – Andy Roberts
Looking towards the fire from Grimsay – Amy Cox
Bernera – Emma Rennie
Thanks to those who shared images and to Scottish Fire and Rescue for working tirelessly hard with these fires and those in the past.
Please do NOT use Western Isles Weather for the protection of life and property please follow local and national government issued warnings and advice. Please have more than one source for weather and wildfire information in extreme weather and wildfires. Such as the Met office, Scottish Fire and Rescue and other emergency responders.
