The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) issued its first official wildfire warning of 2026 on 20 March, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum. The warning covers the North and North-East of Scotland, where the service says there is a "very high" risk of wildfire from Friday 20 March to Saturday 21 March1.
SFRS is strongly urging the public in the affected areas to avoid lighting fires outdoors during this period1. The service issued 14 wildfire warnings in 2025, with the final one of the year distributed in October, which it describes as well beyond the typical timeframe for heightened wildfire risk in Scotland1. It also recently launched its annual wildfire prevention and awareness campaign alongside the release of the Scottish Government's wildfire strategic action plan1.
Area Commander Robert Lennox, a Local Senior Officer, said dead and dry vegetation that has just finished thawing leaves vulnerable areas that are "essentially wildfire fuel"1.
"There's no such thing as a harmless fire. Every spark, even the smallest, has the potential to become a wildfire and cause a large amount of damage."
The service asks the public to stay alert to conditions, watch for its wildfire danger assessments and share its guidance with family, friends and visitors1. It states that most wildfires are human caused and therefore preventable1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Warning issued | 20 March 2026 |
| Risk level | Very high |
| Areas covered | North and North-East Scotland |
| Period covered | Friday 20 March to Saturday 21 March 2026 |
| Issued by | SFRS with the Scottish Wildfire Forum |
| Warnings issued in 2025 | 14, the last in October |
Why it matters for households
The warning applies to households in the North and North-East of Scotland for two days, 20 and 21 March. SFRS is asking people in those areas to avoid lighting fires outdoors during the period, and asks the public to stay alert to conditions and to watch its wildfire danger assessments1. The service's guidance points to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and to wildfire prevention and safety advice on its website1. Its wildfire guidance sets out how grass and vegetation fires start and how they can be prevented, and the heatwaves and drought section covers the wider seasonal risks.
What happens next
The warning runs to Saturday 21 March 2026. SFRS directs households to its wildfire danger assessments for the current risk in their area, and says further prevention and safety advice is published on its website1. No further warning dates beyond this period have been reported.
Wildfires and Grass Fires
