A single spark can cause widespread damage, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has warned, after a wildfire tore through gorse and grassland in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh, forcing a significant multi-agency response and drawing attention to the heightened risk of fire across eastern Scotland.
The warning comes as a “very high” risk of wildfire remains in place from Friday, 29 May, until Monday, 1 June, issued jointly by the SFRS and the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF). The public in affected areas are being urged to avoid lighting any outdoor fires, barbecues or campfires, and to take simple precautions to prevent what the SFRS describes as devastating damage. Among the key advice: take all litter home, as discarded glass can concentrate sunlight and ignite dry vegetation; fully extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them responsibly; and report any outdoor fire immediately by calling 999.
SFRS head of prevention, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, who also chairs the Scottish Wildfire Forum, said: “Those in affected areas should avoid lighting outdoor fires and remain aware that even a single spark can quickly escalate, causing widespread damage.”
The Pentland Hills Blaze
The most recent incident was reported at Torduff Reservoir on Torduff Road at approximately 5:49 pm on Thursday, 28 May, involving grass and gorse. At the height of the blaze six fire engines were at the scene, and crews remained on site until around 10:22 pm that evening. By 6:30 am on Friday, 29 May, three fire engines were still present, damping down hot spots. The cause of the Torduff Reservoir fire is under investigation.
This followed an earlier fire on Monday afternoon, 25 May, near Balerno in the Pentland Hills. SFRS were alerted at 4:23 pm, and the incident at Eastside Farm affected a grass area approximately 50 metres by 100 metres. That fire, however, threatened to spread catastrophically. It affected roughly 17 hectares, but the SFRS assessed a credible risk of it spreading across as much as 550 hectares if not for rapid intervention. Crews left the scene at 10:22 pm that evening.
The response was a coordinated multi-agency effort involving SFRS, land managers, farmers and gamekeepers. In the Eastside Farm incident, six appliances were mobilised, with crews working in difficult conditions across steep and challenging ground. Local land managers and farmers, coordinated by Gavin Kippen, deployed 16 gamekeepers and 14 farmers equipped with fogging units, all-terrain vehicles and a tractor to tackle the fire. Support also came from 10 estates, farms and rural businesses. Jenny Cowan of Eastside Farm expressed gratitude for the “exceptional” support, describing the farming and gamekeeping communities as “utterly selfless and brave.” The SFRS thanked these communities for their knowledge, equipment and commitment, which proved invaluable.
The fires pose a severe threat to sensitive moorland habitats. The Pentland Hills Regional Park noted that out-of-control fires have a significant impact on fauna and flora, taking years to recover. Wildfires can destroy the nests of ground-nesting birds during the breeding season. Research cited by the briefing indicates that wildfires reduce bird species richness and abundance, and can impact seedbanks and the abundance of ground beetles and spiders for up to three years post-fire. Specific upland moorland bird species such as the European Stonechat, Common Redshank and Hen Harrier have been recorded exclusively in unburnt areas. A study on K’gari (Fraser Island) highlighted that large, high-intensity wildfires undermine biodiversity even in fire-adapted ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of mosaic and cultural burning approaches for landscape resilience.
Scotland’s Growing Wildfire Threat
The Pentland Hills incidents come in the wake of a record wildfire season in 2025, when 241 fires were recorded across Scotland, including the Carrbridge and Dava Moor fire, which burned nearly 10,000 hectares and became the UK’s largest recorded wildfire. The SWF emphasises that a gradual increase in fuel loads, combined with a changing climate leading to warmer and drier conditions, is intensifying wildfire risks and is expected to lead to an increase in both fire size and intensity.
Human behaviour remains the primary cause: the SFRS notes that most wildfires in Scotland are started by people, often accidentally. While muirburn (prescribed burning) is a land management practice used to reduce fuel loads, poor control can lead to escaped fires. The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 was introduced to regulate muirburn more effectively.
In response to the increased risk, the Scottish Government, SFRS and partners have developed a Strategic Action Plan for wildfire prevention, preparedness and response, focusing on the 2026 season and beyond. This includes investing in new wildfire units and equipment, enhancing incident response plans, and strengthening multi-agency training. The SFRS also encourages individuals and groups to join the Community Asset Register, a database of volunteers willing to assist during emergencies such as wildfires.
Weather conditions on the day of the Torduff Reservoir fire were cloudy, with a high of 23°C and a low of 11°C, and gusts reaching up to 21.7 mph. The forecast for the following day indicated similar conditions, adding to the risk of fire spread. Residents in affected areas were advised to keep windows and doors shut due to smoke.
The response also highlighted the crucial role of local communities, with Jenny Cowan of Eastside Farm describing the support from the farming and gamekeeping communities as “utterly selfless and brave.”
