logo
Is Scotland's future on fire - and how can we stop it?

Is Scotland's future on fire - and how can we stop it?

Is there any realistic chance of stopping them or is this what Scotland's future holds?
This week Culbin forest near Forres has been alight; a month ago it was Glen Rosa on Arran; a week prior to that it was Galloway. By the end of April, more of the UK had been burnt by wildfires than the total for any year in more than a decade, according to the Global Wildfire Information System.
The impacts on wildlife and cost to landowners can be pretty devastating. 'We've lost 10 years of conservation work and effort,' said one Arran ranger in the wake of the Glen Rosa fire. 'We just have to start again.'
Read More:
True, it's been an unusually dry spring, but the worrying long-term Scottish trend is for more intense, harder-to-handle fires that often begin on moorland and spread into forests.
California suffered a deep collective trauma in January when a series of huge blazes broke out due to a combination of conditions – a period of high rainfall promoting vegetation growth, followed by drought, followed by high winds. At least 30 people died and more than 18,000 homes were destroyed.
Scotland may not be a high hazard location for destructive wildfires like the western US, but the so-called 'hydroclimate whiplash' effect – a wet period followed by an intense dry period – is being more frequently observed in locations around the world including Scotland, creating the conditions for more frequent and troublesome wildfires. So do we just have to endure them?
Yes and no, is the somewhat sad reality. Wildfires will continue and worsen, say the researchers, but we can manage them better.
'As long as climate change keeps happening, this effect keeps increasing,' says Theo Keeping of Reading University, an expert in wildfire risk modelling.
The old postcard on the difference between Scotland's winter and summer weather, showing a rain-lashed figure cowering under an umbrella in both cases, once seemed to represent Scotland's best protection against wildfires: near-constant rain. That has changed. With a warming atmosphere able to absorb ever more moisture from the land, we still get plenty of rain, but in between times we are seeing longer settled spells when the ground is sucked dry of moisture.
Scotland has started experiencing wildfires in areas which were not traditionally susceptible to them, and instead of being contained in spring, devouring dead vegetation leftover from the previous year, wildfires are occurring into summer and even late summer.
'They're certainly becoming more difficult to suppress and tend to have higher fuel loads – the amount of vegetation available for burning – which gives them greater intensity,' says Group Commander Niall MacLennan of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), based in Inverness. Heather that's above knee height, for instance, contains a lot of energy.
Land management is part of the wildfire risk, says the SFRS. Changes to the way farms and estates use land, particularly where vegetation increases as a result, can have an impact.
So can't fires be prevented in the first place?
Some but not all. That would require a policy that is literally foolproof and no one has come up with one yet.
Social media right now is full of pleas from rangers begging people not to flick away fag ends, light campfires and BBQs or leave glass bottles around that could magnify the sun (thought to be the cause of Glen Rosa's fire). Yet it's also full of exasperated posts from people who have found smouldering campfires set on tinder-dry moorland or under trees among dessicated pine needles. Clearly either the message isn't getting through, or some people are deliberately ignoring it. Probably both.
Education is still crucial and there's more focus on it in Scotland than ever before. In other countries, like Portugal, it's helped reduce the number of fires. But as Keeping says 'it's almost impossible' to exclude all ignitions.
That's why much effort has focused on finding ways of containing fires and putting them out pronto.
Regenerating landscapes to better retain water; creating fire breaks (where vegetation is burnt or cut away); giving greater consideration to what we grow and where; creating lochans as water sources for firefighters: strategies such as this will just become more and more important. The Scottish Parliament has just passed legislation requiring anyone using 'prescribed burning', for firebreaks or muirburn, to hold a license and have training.
Evacuation plans also have to be up to date in case of wildfires getting out of control.
At the edge of towns and villages, householders might have to start giving more attention to reducing fire risk. MacLennan says he is concerned when he sees large-scale vegetation like gorse close to houses in rural areas because of the real risk the buildings could catch fire.
If we can't stop fires igniting, we need to be able to extinguish them quickly. SFRS is focusing on a 'smarter' strategy for tackling wildfires, with specially trained firefighters in certain fire stations equipped with specific PPE and equipment, to manage and suppress fires in an agile way.
A helicopter, like that used over Culbin forest, might deposit around 800litres of water over the fires – about eight baths-worth – which is highly effective. Civilian helicopters aren't always available for these operations though. Even ground vehicles suitable for the local terrain can be hard to come by and sometimes firefighters still have to walk to fire sites dressed in PPE and carrying water. That's one way land managers and locals can help out, offering lifts and vehicles.
And perhaps that's the point: that we all have a role to play in this – individuals, government, fire service and communities. More intense wildfires, a consequences of unchecked climate change, are part of our collective future. It looks like it will take a collective effort to fight them.
Rebecca McQuillan is a journalist specialising in politics and Scottish affairs. She can be found on Bluesky at @becmcq.bsky.social and on X at @BecMcQ
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Weather maps predict exact date UK hit by 31C heatwave as Ibearic plume sweeps in
Weather maps predict exact date UK hit by 31C heatwave as Ibearic plume sweeps in

Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Weather maps predict exact date UK hit by 31C heatwave as Ibearic plume sweeps in

There's a bit of a wait until the scorching heat returns, but Brits fearing we've seen the last of the sun this summer should prepare to dig out their fans again New weather maps pin-point the moment sweltering 31C heat will bake parts of the UK again. ‌ After a period of rain and gloomy weather, Brits fearing the sunshine may not return this summer have been told that temperatures are set to rise again. Despite recent downpours and thunderstorms prompting yellow weather warnings, the country has enjoyed a scorching few months, with three heatwaves and the hottest June on record in England. ‌ It is unclear if we'll get a fourth, but an Ibearic plume is coming after the unsettled conditions which will continue for the rest of the month. The brutal end to the heat spell sparked travel chaos and even flash flooding as heavy rain replaced the sunshine - but there's a bit of a wait until it will return. ‌ WXcharts forecast data suggests that on Wednesday, August 6, some parts of the UK will see temperatures soar, with maps showing large parts of the British Isles blanketed in orange and red. The latest maps indicate that much of England will experience temperatures ranging between 22 and 31C at 6pm that day. The mercury is set to hit 30C in areas around Worcester, and 31C in areas south of the West Midlands city. Temperatures are also expected to reach maximums of 31C in areas around Oxford, and an area inland from Bournemouth, with a large part of southern England between Worcester, London, Southampton and further into the south west seeing at least 30C. Exeter in South West England could also be experiencing 31C around this time. Much of England looks set to enjoy temperatures of at least 21C from Newcastle down, with huge swathes of England south of Leeds enjoying 25C and above. ‌ However, areas of England's northwest, including Manchester and areas north of it up to the Scottish border, look to be slightly cooler, in the high teens. Meanwhile, Wales is expected to see temperatures ranging from roughly 18C to 26C, with the warmest conditions anticipated near the English border. Scotland will likely experience slightly cooler weather, with Glasgow seeing around 15 to 16C and Edinburgh reaching the high teens. Throughout the nation, temperatures are forecast to vary from approximately 13C in northern regions to 21C in places like Dundee. ‌ Northern Ireland is set to experience temperatures between roughly 21C and 22C during this period. Weather data indicates a comparable heat pattern could return across Britain the following day at the same time. The Met Office's extended forecast for Monday, July 28 to Wednesday, August 6, predicts conditions will be "dominated by westerly winds is likely at first" which will "likely bring rain and showers at times interspersed with periods of more settled weather". "The north and west will most likely be the focus of any wetter and windier weather, where there may be some prolonged spells of rain at times," the national weather service adds. The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period if high pressure builds into the southwest settled weather may develop there too." "It will be breezy at times, especially in further north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year." The forecast for Thursday, 7 August to Thursday, 21 August suggests a shift in weather patterns. "A changeable westerly pattern most likely gives way to high pressure from the southwest. "While we can expect spells of rain or showers mixed with some drier, brighter days at first, dry and settled weather becomes more likely as we head further into August," the Met Office adds. "Temperatures will likely be near or above average overall. There is a chance of some very warm or hot spells developing later in August if high pressure wins out for a decent stretch of time, especially in the south and east." Today's forecast predicts rain and showers developing across eastern England, "but mostly dry elsewhere with sunny spells, although the odd isolated shower possible. Brightest conditions in the west and feeling warm in any sunshine," it continues.

Weather maps show Scotland's weekend forecast after heatwave and downpours
Weather maps show Scotland's weekend forecast after heatwave and downpours

Daily Record

timea day ago

  • Daily Record

Weather maps show Scotland's weekend forecast after heatwave and downpours

The weather has been erratic recently, but what can we expect this weekend? Scots have seen some seriously erratic weather recently. From a scorching heatwave a couple of weeks ago to torrential downpours just days later. ‌ While TRNSMT weekend saw the hottest day for two years and temperatures surpassing 30C, last weekend was a total washout with several thunderstorm and rainfall warnings. ‌ But this weekend is to see calmer weather, albeit with yet more rain. Friday, July 25, is to see a widespread dose of showers coming in from the west and covering much of the western Highlands early in the morning. ‌ Although the good news is that the rain is not forecast to be particularly heavy, according to Met Office weather maps. Throughout Friday morning, the showers will continue to spread west, catching Glasgow before fizzling out in the early afternoon, with temperatures hovering in the mid to high teens. Saturday, July 26, appears widely dry for most of the day, with some sun peaking out from behind the clouds and the maximum mercury ranging between 16C and 18C, so if you're making outdoor plans, this might be the day to do it. ‌ According to WX Charts' weather maps, which use Met Desk data, there will be heavy rain from the west on Saturday night and into the early hours. It is forecast to disspate across the country throughout Sunday, July 27. This matches with the Met Office's predictions for scattered showers and mild temperatures on Sunday. Thankfully, in a change from last weekend, no weather warnings have been issued anywhere in the UK for this weekend. ‌ The Met Office outlook for the next few days says: "Largely dry and fine across the south and east on Friday and Saturday, with patchy rain elsewhere. Showery in the north Sunday, with potentially some heavy rain developing further south." This calmer weekend of weather comes after Scotland faced a bout of storm and rain warnings last week which followed a searing heatwave earlier in the month. ‌ The weekend of July 11 - July 13 saw piping temperatures widely reaching 28C, while many areas broke the 30C threshold. Scots basked in weather reaching as high as 32.2C two weeks ago in Aviemore, where the hottest Scottish day since 2023 was recorded on Saturday, July 12. A temperature of 32C in Scotland has only been recorded on six previous occasions since 1961, according to the BBC. ‌ Last weekend then saw several yellow thunderstorm and rainfall warnings for much of the UK, when heavy downpours drenched the country, even though temperatures were still in the high teens for most of Scotland. The Met Office warned of widespread disruption, including some damage to buildings and a small chance of danger to life, which are all consequences associated with a yellow thunderstorm warning. These erratic and changeable conditions come as the Met Office issued a warning that climate change is turning extreme weather into a 'new normal' for the UK, as angry storms, flash flooding and searing temperatures become all the more frequent in the UK and in Scotland. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

Extended patrols ensure Loch Ken is wildfire free during hot weather
Extended patrols ensure Loch Ken is wildfire free during hot weather

Daily Record

timea day ago

  • Daily Record

Extended patrols ensure Loch Ken is wildfire free during hot weather

Loch Ken Trust's ranger service and volunteers made sure the beauty spot was safe when an extreme wild fire risk was issued earlier this month. Extended patrols ensured Loch Ken was free from wildfires during the recent hot weather. ‌ Loch Ken Trust's ranger service and volunteers made sure the beauty spot was safe when an extreme wild fire risk was issued earlier this month. ‌ The Scottish Fire and Rescue service had asked people to avoid barbecues and campfires, as avoiding using naked flames can help reduce the risk of wildfires. ‌ And those on patrol were delighted to see many people out enjoying the outdoors responsibly – with no fire found around Loch Ken. The trust recently began joint patrols with Police Scotland in a bid to tackle irresponsible behaviour. Feedback has been very positive, and these joint patrols will continue. Head ranger, Leanne Pumpr, said: 'I enjoyed meeting with so many visitors and locals over the weekend who were having a great time in the outdoors, acting responsibly and leaving no trace.' ‌ Many bags of litter were collected over the weekend, but the majority of users acted responsibly around Loch Ken. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. ‌ Thanks goes to the Loch Ken Trust ranger volunteers for helping with patrols and water safety advice during the good weather. A huge thank you goes to the Loch Ken Trust Ranger volunteers for assisting with patrols and water safety advice during the spell of great weather.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store