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Edinburgh's iconic Arthur's Seat has been engulfed by gorse fires since Sunday, with crews battling the blaze for more than a day using four appliances and specialist resources. No casualties have been reported from the incident at the extinct volcano near the city centre, but the dramatic scenes have highlighted Scotland's escalating wildfire threat.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a "very high" wildfire warning covering Edinburgh and the Lothians as temperatures reach 28C during the ongoing heatwave. The warning runs from Wednesday 13 August through Tuesday 19 August. Only the BBC reports this marks the tenth such alert issued this year.
Warning expands across Scotland
The threat zone follows a geographic progression across the country. Eastern areas face the highest risk from 13-15 August, expanding to include western areas on 16-17 August, before encompassing most of Scotland from 18-19 August.
The final phase covers the east, west, central belt and southern uplands. Only the BBC reports that previous wildfires in Carrbridge and Dava in the Highlands were the largest ever recorded in Scotland, underlining the unprecedented nature of this year's wildfire season.
Human behaviour drives wildfire risk
Group Commander Niall MacLennan said: "During periods when the risk of wildfires is high, we want people to avoid using portable barbecues, discarding cigarettes on the ground or lighting campfires in or near areas of vegetation as these all pose a significant threat."
The vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour, making public awareness crucial for prevention. MacLennan added: "We know the vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour, so acting responsibly can lower the chance of a fire starting in the first place. Help us protect remote and rural communities, who can be hugely impacted by wildfires, by following the safety advice and being familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."
Broader UK heatwave context
While Scotland faces temperatures of 28C, the Evening Standard reports that UK temperatures could reach 34C in southern areas, with Scotland potentially seeing above 30C. The Evening Standard also reports that England is experiencing "nationally significant" water shortfalls with widespread drought conditions that further elevate wildfire risks across the country.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service emphasises the particular vulnerability of remote and rural communities during wildfire events. Officials continue to stress the importance of following prevention guidance during this critical period.
Sources used: "Edinburgh Live", "Daily Record", "BBC", "Evening Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
