Highland residents are warned against burning rubbish after rise in such fires involving sheds and fences across Scotland during coronavirus pandemic
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Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is reminding the public not to light bonfires to dispose of items such as garden or household waste.
This warning comes after fire crews were called out to tackle a number of incidents across Scotland where outdoor fires had spread to property and nearby households.
During April, SFRS crews were called to 17 fires involving external structures – such as sheds, patios, items of garden furniture, and built-up areas of combustible materials.
Figures show that this has more than doubled when compared with the same time period over the last two years – there were eight in April 2019 and seven in April 2018.
Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens, SFRS director of service delivery, said: “With bin uplift services in many areas still limited during the coronavirus pandemic, people might be tempted to burn refuse or other materials.
“We cannot stress this enough – lighting bonfires can be dangerous, and we would strongly discourage anyone from attempting to dispose of waste, or other items, in this way.
“This can often be very unsafe in terms of the risk of fire spread – to your own home and possessions, as well as that of neighbours.”
Burning refuse near to areas of grassland and countryside also brings the risk of wildfire.
Earlier this month, it took around 50 firefighters more than three days to extinguish a wildfire in Wester Ross, which is believed to have started from high winds blowing hot ash from a fire pit into an area of dry vegetation.
ACO Stevens said: "Once lit, fire can be unpredictable and you are no longer fully in control of the potential consequences.
“The smoke can also cause a significant inconvenience to neighbours and nearby properties; can pollute the environment; and impact those with respiratory conditions."
He said such fires initially seemed small but controlled burning could very quickly spread to sheds, fences or even property, and lead to a number of the service's firefighters and resources being mobilised. He added: "While we continue to maintain a high resilience across Scotland, we would seek to avoid any unnecessary demand on our service during this unprecedented time.”
