The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued its first official wildfire warning of 2026, alerting people in North and North-East Scotland to a "very high" risk of wildfire on Friday 20 March and Saturday 21 March.

The warning, issued in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, comes with a clear message: do not light fires outdoors in the affected areas during this period.

What you need to know

Area Commander Robert Lennox urged the public to take the warning seriously. "There's no such thing as a harmless fire," he said. "Every spark, even the smallest, has the potential to become a wildfire and cause a large amount of damage."

As spring approaches, vast areas of dead and dry vegetation across the countryside — freshly thawed after winter — are essentially wildfire fuel.

The SFRS is asking people in the affected areas to:

  • Avoid lighting fires outdoors, including campfires and barbecues
  • Take care with cigarettes and dispose of them safely
  • Do not carry out muirburn (controlled heather burning) during the warning period
  • Stay alert to conditions and check wildfire danger assessments on the SFRS website
  • Share the guidance with family, friends, and visitors

If you spot a wildfire, call 999 immediately.

A growing problem

This early warning is part of a wider trend. In 2025, the SFRS issued 14 wildfire warnings, with the final one coming as late as October — well beyond the traditional March-to-May risk window.

Last year also saw the largest wildfire in Scotland's recorded history, around Carrbridge and Dava Moor, which destroyed thousands of hectares of peatland, woodland, and moorland. The blaze released vast quantities of carbon into the atmosphere and disrupted lives and livelihoods across the region.

"Most wildfires are human caused, which means they are also preventable," said Area Commander Lennox. "It is imperative that we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors — not just during a period of heightened risk, but all year long."

New national action plan

The warning comes shortly after the Scottish Government published a new wildfire strategic action plan, developed with the SFRS, land managers, and emergency partners in response to the escalating threat.

The plan, introduced by Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP and Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP, sets out actions to improve public awareness, strengthen prevention, enhance wildfire warning systems, and ensure a coordinated multi-agency response.

"Wildfires can no longer be considered a seasonal or isolated risk," the plan's foreword states. "As our climate becomes warmer and drier, and as extreme weather patterns intensify, Scotland must strengthen its resilience."

What happens next

The SFRS publishes regular wildfire danger assessments on its website throughout the season. Anyone spending time outdoors in rural Scotland — walkers, campers, land workers — should check these before heading out.

More information on wildfire prevention and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is available at firescotland.gov.uk.