First September warning of extreme wildfires for five years

A large wildfire bildfire burned across moorland at Carrbridge and Dava in the Highlands from June into July

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has issued an extreme wildfire warning for the first time in September since 2020.

It covers all of Scotland throughout Friday and follows a very high warning which has been in place since Wednesday.

The alert is the 13th wildfire warning this year, which the SFRS says is the most in recent times.

The fire service said the country had faced an "unprecedented scale" of wildfire risk in 2025 and urged "extreme caution".

Flames broke out in areas of moorland and forestry in the Highlands in June and July

There have been several devastating wildfires this summer, with a Highlands blaze described as the worst in Scotland's history.

Fires burned across more than 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) at Carrbridge and Dava in the north of Scotland in late June and early July.

Experts suggested thousands of animals were killed including curlew, grouse chicks and hares.

A large wildfire also took hold of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh in August during the Edinburgh festivals. The cause of the blaze is unknown.

Moray councillor Draeyk Van Der Horn took this image from the Cairngorms during a wildfire

Ministers recently approved a new by-law which will ban barbecues and camp fires from the Cairngorms between 1 April and 30 September every year to prevent wildfires.

Parts of the national park were badly damaged over the summer by large wildfires.

Police can issue fines of up to £500 to anyone flouting the ban.

'Significant damage'

Low-lying areas are at a lower risk of wildfires, but the fire service has urged everyone outdoors to act carefully.

SFRS group commander Serge Kabamba said: "We recognise temperatures are dropping across the country and people might not think that the risk is there. However, the effects of this year's spring drought are still visible across the landscape with dry soils and browned vegetation increasing the risk of fire.

"We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

"Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage. These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere."

He said human behaviour can significantly lower the risk of fire and urged people to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The aftermath of a wildfire at Dava Moor in Moray

It has been unusually warm in Scotland throughout the spring and summer.

Spring saw record-breaking sunshine and above-average temperatures, with some areas experiencing their hottest days of the year in May.

After the driest spring in Scotland since 1964 and a hot summer, May saw water scarcity warnings.

More water scarcity warnings were issued in August after the month was drier than usual.

The UK's hottest day of the year has increased in temperature over time and climate scientists are clear that the heat has been boosted by the warming climate.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said every month of 2025 had been drier than average on Scotland's east coast.

This has created perfect conditions for wildfires.

What causes wildfires?

The SFRS says prolonged periods of dry weather create a "tinderbox environment" where even a small spark can easily ignite a wildfire.

Hot and dry weather can lead to blazes but so can cold, dry and sunny weather.

The combination of low humidity and strong winds can dry out vegetation and fuel wildfires.

The fire service classifies wildfires as large and uncontrolled outdoor fires that can exceed 1,000 sq m in area.

These typically happen in places with combustible vegetation that acts as fuel to allow the fire to spread rapidly.

They are described as "unplanned, uncontrolled, and unpredictable" and people need to take the greatest care at high-risk times of year.

Human activity is often to blame, with the fires being started by barbecues, glass bottles magnifying sunlight on dry vegetation, or discarded cigarettes.

One of the reasons fires continue to burn on moorland is because of peaty soil which fuels the flames.