NFU Scotland is calling for an urgent, proactive and well-funded approach to wildfire management as the risk of major fire events in Scotland continues to rise.
At the recent UK Wildfire Conference in Aberdeen, attended by Highland Regional Manager Ian Wilson, global and domestic experts discussed strategies for addressing the increased risk of wildfires. Scotland has seen several major wildfire events in recent years and the conference highlighted the escalating dangers and growing threat posed by climate change, loss of livestock and changing land use.
Longer dry periods, warmer winters, and increased vegetation fuel loads are compounding the risk. Land-use changes, including large-scale rewilding projects and a reduction in the number of livestock grazing in some uplands, add further complexity to wildfire management.
Speaking after the conference, Ian Wilson said: “The stark warning from experts for Scotland was ‘you haven’t seen anything yet.’
“We have a limited window to act, drawing widely on international experiences and lessons. But that window is closing. Scotland must prepare now to mitigate the growing wildfire threat.
“Scotland needs policymakers to prioritise wildfire management. Central to this effort is the development a robust wildfire risk danger rating system similar to those used for floods or snow. Presently, we rely on well-informed monitoring, which, while diligent, is insufficient for the growing threat. Developing a comprehensive warning system and prioritising resources for wildfire risk management is a critical task for policymakers.”
The key strategies emphasised at the conference included:
- Assessing and Protecting What We Value: Identify priorities such as human safety, property, infrastructure, livestock, and natural habitats. Strategies like creating firebreaks, controlling fuel loads, and avoiding development in high-risk areas were highlighted.
- Land Use Planning: Rewilding schemes, forestry projects, and grazing reduction plans must incorporate wildfire risk management strategies.
- Human Activity and Education: With most wildfires stemming from human activity, targeted education campaigns are essential. Speakers pointed to examples from Australia, where strict regulations, including bans on BBQs and machinery use during high-risk periods, have proven effective.
- Fuel Load Management: Reducing high-risk areas through controlled burns, retaining grazing livestock, and vegetation management were recommended. Speakers cautioned against policies that inadvertently increase fuel loads, such as curtailing traditional practices like muirburn without providing alternatives.
NFU Scotland continues to engage with the Muirburn Code Working Group to ensure that the recent legislation around muirburn licensing is workable, practical and efficient for Scotland’s farmers and crofters. The Wildlife and Muirburn (Scotland) Act aims to prevent environmental damage, but by restricting muirburn or making it more difficult for someone to carry it out, it could inadvertently lead to increased fuel loads and, as such, increase the risk of wildfire.
Mr Wilson added: “Wildfire risk is not just a rural issue. It threatens urban areas too, as seen in devastating events globally. Preventing this from becoming a regular occurrence in Scotland requires a united and urgent effort.
“While not all wildfires can be prevented, their scale and impact can be significantly reduced through proactive measures. Policymakers must act now to safeguard Scotland’s people, property, and environment from the looming wildfire threat.
“We will continue to engage with both Scottish Government and NatureScot to ensure that lessons learned by other countries are not repeated here in Scotland.”
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006