By Isla Storie

Copyright dailyrecord

A ‘very high’ warning for wildfires across Scotland has been put in place for Wednesday, which is set to rise to ‘extreme’ risk later this week. The latest guidance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is the thirteenth overall wildfire alert in 2025 – the most issued in a single year in recent records. The ‘very high’ risk is in place from September 24 to September 25, before escalating to ‘extreme’ on Friday, September 26. Although such warnings in the autumn have happened in the past, this warning represents exceptional conditions , and marks the first September warning in five years. Low-lying areas are at a lower risk but residents should still exercise extreme caution during this period. Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife , while posing a threat to the welfare of nearby communities. SFRS Group Commander Serge Kabamba said: “Scotland has faced an unprecedented scale of wildfire risk this year. “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. “Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.” Areas across the country have been devastated by several blazes this year. On August 26, seven fire appliances were dispatched to a fire at Sunbank Quarry in Lossiemouth, with the flames roaring just yards away from residential homes and gardens. Just two weeks previously, a huge blaze broke out on a patch of gorse at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Residents reported seeing people running down the side of the hill as the fire spread rapidly, with thick smoke seen from several miles away. Firefighters worked through the night to tackle it, with two appliances still on scene the following morning. In April, infernos occurred in several regions of Scotland, with Cumbernauld, Thurso, Aberdeen, the islands of Bute, Skye and Arran, and the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh all affected. The blaze in Arran burned for two days amid an ‘extreme’ wildfire warning which was extended. The public were urged by emergency services to avoid the area, particularly the footpaths leading to Goatfell, Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox. Three fire crews, as well as police officers, mountain rescue crews and a rescue helicopter were drafted to the incident , which rangers believed could have been sparked by the sun shining through a discarded glass bottle.