Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Wildfire Forum issue 'extreme' wildfire warning for Sutherland and Caithness
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EXTREME wildfire warnings have been issued for swathes of the Highlands – amid a continued forecast for clear skies and dry weather into the weekend.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has urged locals and visitors to "exercise caution" in rural areas, after it issued two separate warnings covering April 15 to 17.
The first extreme warning, which affects western Scotland and the Hebrides, from from April 15-17 inclusive.
While a separate extreme alert has also been issued for April 17 in parts of north-east, east and central Scotland.
In Sutherland, virtually all of the county is covered by either "very high" or "extreme" warnings on April 17.
The whole of Caithness, meanwhile, sits at "extreme" risk on the same day.
Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, as well as threaten the welfare of nearby communities.
Local Senior Officer Bruce Farquharson 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."
The plea to visitors to act responsibly also comes on the same weekend that Covid-19 lockdown travel restrictions ease across Scotland.
As of Friday, April 16, people will be free to travel anywhere in Scotland on day trips – replacing previous rules that people must stay within their local authority area.
Related news: As lockdown eases, there are warnings about wildfires
