Fire crews are battling a massive blaze mere hours after the fire service issued an urgent wildfire warning for the weekend
Fire crews are battling a wildfire in Aberdeen mere hours after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) issued an urgent bushfire warning for the region across the coming weekend.
Six firefighting appliances and specialist vehicles were dispatched to the brushfire at nature reserve Kincorth Hill on Thursday evening, April 23.
Emergency services rushed to the nature reserve, known locally as ‘The Gramps”, after receiving calls that alerted them to the fire shortly after 6pm. Smoke could be seen stretching for miles over the Scottish city, while nearby residents took to social media to report they were “choking” on the fumes and the smell of burning, according to The Sun.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’ve received a call regarding an incident at Gramps on Kincorth Hill in Aberdeen.
Crews were still at the scene in Aberdeen two hours later, according to an update shared by the SFRS at 8:40pm advised nearby residents “to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution”.
The Gramps overlooks Scotland’s ‘Silver City’, and offers panoramic views of the city, the North Sea, and the surrounding countryside.
Mere hours before the wildfire broke out, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF), issued wildfire warnings for large areas of Scotland for the coming weekend, spanning Western Scotland and “Central and Eastern Scotland.
The SFRS warning states: “Western Scotland: starting Thursday, 23 April, there is a very high risk of wildfire. From Friday, 24 April to Sunday, 26 April, the warning will increase to an extreme risk of wildfire.
“Central and Eastern Scotland: from Friday, 24 April to Sunday, 26 April there will be a very high risk of wildfire. “
Head of Prevention and Protection for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour said: “Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.
“People living in the impacted areas should avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread, causing a large amount of damage. Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire.”
Mr Barbour added: “Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors. And if anyone spots a large outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
Wildfires are usually sparked by humans, with only a spark needed to start a wildfire. A cigarette butt out of a car window or coals from an unextinguished campfire are prime examples of intended fire starters.
BBC Scotland weather presenter Gillian Smart echoed concerns from Scottish fire crews, confirming that conditions this week are ideal conditions for wildfires.
“The current dry spell – combined with strong sunshine at this time of year, and the brisk winds we’ve had at times this week – make for a dangerous mix in terms of wildfire risk,” she said, as per the BBC.
“All of these factors can really dry out vegetation.”
She added: “Spring generally presents ideal conditions for wildfires, with the combination of new growth and typically drier ground. And with high pressure remaining in charge into next week, and very little rain in the forecast, the risk will be ongoing.”
Last month, the Scottish government warned that the northern nation was facing a grim wildfire season, with a ban on campfires and barbecues introduced in early April to the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands in an attempt to reduce the fire threat.
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