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'Extreme risk of wildfire' warning extended across Scotland

'Extreme risk of wildfire' warning extended across Scotland

A 'very high danger' assessment – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) - covering the whole of Scotland was put in place from Wednesday until Friday.
An extreme danger assessment covering the north of Scotland was issued for Friday, and has since been extended to cover mainland Scotland until Monday.
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Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.
SFRS Wildfire Lead Michael Humphreys said: "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.
"Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
"These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas 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."

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