Fire chiefs have warned that tinderbox conditions could lead to a repeat of recent major wildfires across the north and north-east this weekend.
Last year, huge blazes raged for miles across the countryside in the Highlands and Moray – placing a strain on the emergency services.
Although fire crews expect there to be fewer people roaming the outdoors over Easter weekend than there typically would be, they have flagged fears that large swathes of the north and north-east would be particularly vulnerable to wildfire.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s area commander, Bruce Farquharson, fears such a large-scale incident could put unnecessary pressure on crews as they are working to protect the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Farquharson said: “We would always stress the importance of being vigilant in areas of countryside, but right now we are in a unique and testing period for all emergency services.
“Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can be devastated by wildfires – as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
“We will always do our utmost to protect our communities, and to save life and property from harm at all times – but we also need the public to help us.
“We have also witnessed a spell of dry weather recently, and traditionally this time of year is our peak for large, challenging wildfires.”
Mr Farquharson recalled two of UK’s largest wildfires at Thurso and near Aberlour last spring.
Described as one of the largest seen in the UK, the blaze in Moray spread across an estimated 27 square miles of land between Knockando, Dallas and Dunphail.
The fire between Melvich and Strathy in Sutherland burned for almost six days and destroyed thousands of acres of land.
He added: “It took over a week on each occasion to bring both fires under control – which had a phenomenal knock-on impact on our entire structure right across Scotland.
“There is very little moisture on the ground just now and an abundance of dead material, and this fuel has dried out quickly with milder temperatures and lower humidity levels.
“This creates a worrying melting pot of dry material mixed with oxygen in the air – all that’s missing is the ignition.”
The Met Office last night predicted that the north and north-east would experience some badly-needed showers over the weekend.
A spokesman said: “On Saturday there will be more cloud than Friday around in the Highlands and Grampian.
“There will still be showers lingering around the morning but that will ease with more brightness starting to appear through Saturday afternoon.
“On Sunday it is a similar picture again with showers around and more brightness coming from the west in the later part of the day.
“Then Monday the best chance of widespread dry weather for the whole of Scotland and these areas.”