Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) is urging woodland visitors to not light fires or start barbecues during their day out in Aberdeenshire forests.
Dan Cadle, recreation forester with the local FES team, said
We have recently had a spate of fires being lit in Dunnottar Woods near Stonehaven. These have generally been small “camp” fires but with the recent dry and sunny weather raising temperatures and drying out the forest floor, it wouldn’t take much for these to get out of control.
We appreciate that most of the time people do not realise the risk but there have been cases where campfires have so quickly got out of hand that lives have been put at risk.
A fire site has also recently done damage to the Gallows Hill – a Scheduled Ancient Monument that needs to be protected.
We’re urging people to be responsible and be safe.
Police Scotland have been informed and will be doing additional drive-bys to keep a watch on activity in the woods.
Visitors encountering people with fires lit, or attempting to light fires, should contact the Forest Enterprise Scotland on 0300 067 6200 or, if appropriate, the emergency services.
