People urged to take care with fires and barbecues outdoors

Scottish Natural Heritage has advice this spring and summer to help visitors to the countryside protect against the risk of fire.

People should be particularly careful with campfires, cigarette disposal and throw-away barbecues, says SNH.

There is currently a fire danger warning in place in the north-east, south-east and central Scotland, with very high fire danger conditions.

Mark Wrightham, SNH’s recreation and tourism manager, said: ‘It’s great news that the recent warm, dry weather is encouraging more people to get out and about and enjoy our beautiful Scottish countryside. But it’s important to bear in mind that fires can spread quickly in these conditions and do lasting damage to nature and wildlife.

‘In this weather, we advise people to be careful when lighting fires, or consider using a camping stove instead. Be particularly cautious when disposing of cigarettes – even a cigarette butt can easily start a wildfire.

‘One of the biggest risks is disposable barbecues. These should be taken away and disposed of safely in a bin. You may think the barbecue’s no longer a risk, but the lingering heat could cause vegetation to smoulder and catch fire.

‘A few simple tips can make all the difference in making sure as many people as possible can enjoy our countryside safely.’ SNH’s advice is: Whenever possible, use a stove rather than light an open fire. If you do light one, keep it small and under control, and remove all traces before leaving. Avoid lighting them during prolonged dry periods or in forests, woods, farmland, peaty ground or near to buildings as fires that get out of control can cause major damage.

When using a disposable barbecue, put it on a heat-proof surface, such as sand or stones before you light it. Make sure the barbecue is cold before you take it away with the rest of your rubbish. Dispose of cigarette butts in bins. More advice is available from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at www.outdooraccess-scotland.com