Wildfire crisis needs action, not warnings
Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess, has called for immediate and coordinated action in response to Scotland’s escalating wildfire emergency. The call comes as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued its 13th wildfire warning of the year - the highest number ever recorded.
With “extreme” wildfire risk now covering vast areas of the Highlands and Moray, and a rare September alert issued for the first time in five years, Ariane warns that Scotland is already living through the consequences of the climate crisis.
Ariane is urging the Scottish Government to treat wildfire risk as a national emergency, and to accelerate climate adaptation measures across Scotland’s most vulnerable regions.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority has announced a seasonal ban on campfires and barbecues from April to September starting next year, following what landowners described as Scotland’s largest wildfire in history, which scorched over 29,000 acres of land in Dava and Carrbridge.
Ariane said:
“This is not a freak weather event. It’s the new normal in a warming world. We are seeing peatlands burn, ancient pinewoods destroyed, and communities choked by smoke. Every fire is a blow to our climate goals and a trauma for those living nearby.
“We cannot afford to treat these wildfires as isolated incidents. They are a direct result of climate breakdown, and will only get more frequent and more severe. They demand a whole-of-government response.
“Warnings are not enough. We need leadership, funding, and a clear plan to protect Scotland’s future.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service must be properly resourced to investigate and report on the cause of all wildfires. Only then can we develop evidence-based strategies that reduce risk, protect communities, and safeguard the landscapes we all depend on.“The Cairngorms fire ban is a vital step but it’s reactive. We need proactive investment in wildfire prevention, community resilience, and ecological restoration. I’ve written to ministers, NatureScot, and the CNPA to ask what more can be done to protect our landscapes and communities before the next blaze breaks out.”