Badenoch and Strathspey should not be fooled by this map!
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public to take the extra care in the countryside this week as the risk rating for wildfires in eastern areas of Scotland is raised to ‘very high’ from today until Thursday.
Although Scotland looks set to avoid the extreme temperatures forecast in other parts of the UK, some eastern and north-eastern areas are still expected to reach 24°C and people who live, work or are visiting rural areas, in particular, are being urged to exercise the utmost caution to avoid fires breaking out.
SFRS Group Commander, Lynne Gow said: "Spring is the peak time for wildfires in Scotland when accumulated dead grass, leaves, twigs and heather acts as fuel which can spread fires quickly over a wide area. However, temperatures are rising and, although cooler than elsewhere in the UK, the dry, warm weather is expected to continue throughout the week.
“With a westerly wind, humidity will be higher in the west but the summer drying conditions and rising temperatures mean that eastern areas of Scotland are rated as ‘very high’ risk over the next few days.
“Wildfire can destroy wide areas of landscape and wildlife but human behaviour can dramatically reduce the risk of wildfire. We need people to be aware of how quickly things can get out of hand - the smallest outdoor ignition can spread rapidly and burn for days. Therefore, we are asking people to act responsibly when enjoying the outdoors and please think twice before using anything involving a naked flame."
Visit the SFRS website for more detailed summer safety advice.
The UK has been given an amber warning ahead of the heatwave that is due to cause temperatures to soar this Sunday, with a scorching 33C expected on Monday.
With London, Southend - on - Sea and Portsmouth being the UK's hot spots for sunshine, averaging around 320 hours of sunshine in the month of June alone, it's set to be a scorcher in the South.
Dog experts Kennel Store have broken down the biggest signs and symptoms of heat stroke in dogs and how to best help a dog potentially experiencing heat stroke.
But things could still get pretty uncomfortable for the Highlands, nevertheless. Only time will tell just how it's going to an out for everyone.
