New collaborative action plan unveiled to protect Scotland from increasing wildfire risk
Scotland’s high-risk period for wildfires, traditionally between March and May, has expanded in recent years.
As Scotland faces an increasing threat from wildfires, a new strategic action plan is being launched to enhance multi-agency responses and improve public awareness of the risk communities face.
Scotland’s high-risk period for wildfires, traditionally between March and May, has expanded in recent years.
In 2025, firefighters spent more than 100 days responding to more than 230 separate wildfires across the country, including the summer wildfire at Dava Moor which was one of the largest ever recorded in Scotland.
In response to the 2025 wildfire season, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has reviewed and invested in equipment, including four new wildfire support units with enhanced equipment in Alford, Oban, Galashiels and Dornoch, two new interim wildfire units in Lockerbie and Thurso, and delivering controlled burn training.
SFRS collaborated with partners on a thorough review of the wildfire events from 2025 via Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience Training and Exercising Unit (SMARTEU), and the recommendations within the SMARTEU debrief will be taken forward by the Scottish Wildfire Forum.
Partners are also developing a multi-agency Concept of Operations through the strategic action plan to ensure consistent, coordinated responses across Scotland.
SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour said: “Wildfires continue to pose an increasing threat to Scotland’s rural communities and natural environment.
“We welcome the strategic action plan, which is an essential step in ensuring our firefighters, land managers, public bodies and partners can enhance their collective response to wildfires.
“It is vital for everyone to play their part in protecting Scotland’s natural environment with responsible outdoor behaviour.
“Never assume a small fire, like a campfire or portable BBQ, is safe and harmless. The smallest spark or ember in dry conditions can quickly lead to wildfire destroying large parts of the countryside.”
To inform the public, SFRS issues Wildfire Danger Assessments via its website and social media channels during weather conditions where there is a higher risk of wildfire occurring.
SFRS encourages everyone to review these timely alerts and act responsibly when using fire outdoors.
It is vital for everyone to play their part in protecting Scotland’s natural environment with responsible outdoor behaviour.
Minister for Community Safety Siobhian Brown and Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie joined SFRS at the fire station in Pitlochry to showcase wildfire appliances and equipment, officially kicking off the Service’s annual wildfire awareness and prevention campaign alongside the new collaborative wildfire strategic action plan.
Ms Brown said: “Last year’s wildfires were a warning that we must be prepared for this to be a more regular occurrence as a result of climate change.
“The strategic action plan will improve coordination between the SFRS and other responders during wildfires and includes the development of Incident Response Plans to strengthen the protection of responders, rural communities, and the natural environment during periods of heightened wildfire activity. It will also see the Community Asset Register – a list of volunteers and equipment to help with wildfire response – reviewed and expanded.”
Mr Fairlie said: “All of us who saw the devastation caused by last year’s fires know that it took an incredible effort to get them under control and I would like to repeat our thanks to all the SFRS staff, landowners, managers, keepers and workers who stepped in. So many communities stepped up to save their local landscape and the species that live there and this plan is intended to help us better prepare for the future.
“Each of us has a part to play in preventing wildfires and must be mindful of their behaviour when enjoying our wonderful countryside during the dry months to ensure we do not do anything or leave behind litter that could ignite a fire.”
The strategic action plan enhances local and regional Incident Response Plans, strengthening protection for responders, rural communities, and Scotland’s natural environment during periods of heightened wildfire activity.
Additional actions from the plan include expanding the Community Asset Register - a list of volunteers who can lend equipment to help with wildfire response and exploring a mountain rescue-style approach to trained wildfire volunteers, with a potential trial in Cairngorms National Park.
SFRS already has more than 30 fire stations equipped with dedicated wildfire resources, as well as several wildfire tactical advisers who can provide strategic support at incidents.