Police urge people to avoid area as wildfire continues

Police have urged the public to avoid the area around an ongoing wildfire.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said two appliances were at the scene of the blaze at Glen Trool in the Galloway Forest Park, but it has stretched up to Loch Doon in East Ayrshire.

The service said at 8.30pm on Sunday that crews were still there.

Helicopters remain in use to “water-bomb” the fire, according to an SFRS spokeswoman.

Along with being warned to avoid the area, locals have been told to keep doors and windows closed.

It comes after an extended stretch of dry, warm weather across Scotland which is predicted to last until at least the end of this week, with the fire service issuing warnings about wildfires.

Group Commander Garry Douglas, an SFRS tactical adviser, previously said: “During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly, and burn with high intensity.

“At this time of year in early spring, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation across large areas of countryside.

“This essentially acts as a fuel for fire.

“There are currently vast areas that are tinder-dry and vulnerable, which provides all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.

“Human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors, especially over the coming days of predicted sunshine.

“By following some simple but key advice, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire occurring.”