The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) issued a wildfire warning on Friday 18 July 2025, stating that an extreme risk of wildfire was in effect that day in areas across the east of Scotland and throughout Shetland1. The warning remains in place until Monday 21 July1.
The SFRS said the main risk would shift over the weekend, with areas in and around Moray affected on Saturday and Sunday1. People in the areas covered are asked to avoid the use of naked flames outdoors, including barbecues1. The service said the vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour and urged communities to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames while the warning is in place1.
Group Commander Niall MacLennan, one of the SFRS Wildfire Tactical Advisers, said:
"Discarded cigarettes and unsupervised campfires pose a significant threat, so it's vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times."
The SFRS said wildfires can burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, and threaten the welfare of nearby communities1. It said remote and rural communities are particularly impacted, and that livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires, as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities1. The service added that such fires can have a hugely negative impact on the environment and on the release of air polluting gases into the atmosphere1.
| Area | Period of main risk |
|---|---|
| East of Scotland and throughout Shetland | Friday 18 July |
| In and around Moray | Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July |
| Warning in place until | Monday 21 July |
Source: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service1
Why it matters for households
The warning covers households in the east of Scotland and Shetland from Friday 18 July, with the main risk moving to the Moray area over the weekend, and stays in place until Monday 21 July1. The SFRS asks people in these areas to avoid naked flames outdoors, including barbecues, and urges communities to avoid lighting fires while the warning is in place1. It advises following all safety advice when outdoors and being familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times1. The service notes that rural and remote communities are particularly affected, with livestock, farmland, protected woodland and the lives of people living and working in rural areas all at risk1. Practical background on preventing grass and woodland fires is set out in the guide to wildfires and grass fires, part of the site's section on heatwaves and drought.
What happens next
The warning remains in place until Monday 21 July, with the main risk affecting areas in and around Moray on Saturday and Sunday1. No further update beyond that date has been reported.
Wildfires and Grass Fires
