Wildfire burns for over a day as more than 50 firefighters battle to bring blaze under control

By CLAIRE ELLIOT

Published: 21:04 BST, 11 May 2025 | Updated: 21:04 BST, 11 May 2025

More than 50 firefighters battled a huge forest fire amid an ‘extreme’ wildfire warning as temperatures soared to be hotter than parts of Spain.

Crews were called to the blaze covering a ten-acre area of woodland just off the B7010 near Fauldhouse, West Lothian, before midday on Saturday.

A helicopter was also drafted in to drop water from the air as crews battled to bring the flames under control.

The wildfire could be seen from almost 10 miles away in the neighbouring towns of Bathgate, Blackburn and Blackridge, with one eyewitness describing the scene as ‘apocalyptic’.

Residents living nearby also spoke of smoke engulfing their gardens as crews urged them to keep windows and doors closed.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service battling the blaze for the second day yesterday after being alerted to reports of ‘a large outdoor fire affecting a remote area of forest near Fauldhouse’ just around 11.45am on Saturday

A spokesman said: ‘Operations Control currently has nine appliances at the scene, as well as a high volume pump, all terrain vehicle and a water bowser.

‘Firefighters will continue to work to extinguish the fire.’

The fire near Fauldhouse, West Lothian, raged on through the night

The flames are doused with water delivered via helicopter

Police Scotland also urged the pubic to avoid the area while crews battled the blaze.

A spokesman said: ‘There have been no reports of any injuries, however, as a precaution, officers are advising local residents in the Heartlands, Armadale and Whitburn areas to keep their windows and doors closed as they deal with this incident.

‘Please avoid the scene whilst emergency services are dealing with the incident.’

It comes as an ‘extreme’ wildfire risk remains in place across mainland Scotland today [Mon], as the Met Office is predicting temperatures of 24C.

Fire crews worked to bring the wildfire under control as it spread through the countryside

In comparison thermometers in the Spanish capital of Madrid are only expected to peak at 18C.

Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said after a misty and foggy start around eastern coastal locations it will soon clear in most areas, with the exception of Orkney and Shetland, where cloud is likely to linger for most of the day.

But he said: ‘Inland there will be plenty of dry conditions and sunny spells. We can’t rule out that we won’t see some showers as we head into the afternoon – and watch out for them being on the heavy side – but once again temperatures are going to be well above average for this point in the year.’

Rainfall is also currently at only 3 per cent of the average, compared with the 19 per cent normally seen by May.

This has led to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issuing alerts for 23 rivers across the country, including the Clyde, due to fears over water scarcity. Only in the Inner Hebrides are water levels now at ‘normal’ conditions.

SFRS, meanwhile, is urging those heading outdoors to ‘act safely and responsibly’.

:
Wildfire burns for over a day as more than 50 firefighters battle to bring blaze under control

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk