MSPs gave broad cross-party backing during the chamber meeting on 19 September to a motion from SNP member Emma Roddick on the rise in wildfire incidents in Scotland.

A number of MSPs called for the SNP government to increase funding for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Rhoda Grant, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands quoted some grave statistics showing that from the 125 on-call fire stations in the Highlands and Islands, only 10 stations have a full-time team of fire fighters. Staff retention is also an issue, with over 1,250 leaving service since the SNP came into power in 2007. Over the period 2013 – 2023/24, the SFRS have lost 729 whole time equivalent fire fighters and 368 retained firefighters.

Across the chamber, there was the general recognition of the vital work of land managers, gamekeepers, estate workers, SFRS, Police Scotland, mountain rescue teams and rural communities in tackling the wildfires, evacuating local residents, and supporting the volunteers with rest areas and meals between operations. There was a worrying consensus that information distribution and advice to local residents was not forthcoming and this needs to be addressed urgently at the upcoming debrief sessions to be held by the Scottish Government in October.

Many MSPs voiced their concern that unless something is done, it is only a matter of time before lives are lost. Wildfires are becoming more and more common, with 1,574 wildfires being recorded in Scotland in the last 10 years (SFRS data). Wildfire incidents have almost doubled since 2015, when 111 were recorded. The latest figures from 2024 to the first half of 2025 record a rise from 55 to 187 wildfires.

In his speech during the debate, Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, laid out the governments plans for meeting with agencies and key stakeholders:

• 25 September – Debrief with the SFRS
• 1 October – Debrief with the Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience Training and Exercising Unit (SMARTEU)
• 9 October – Public sector debrief
• 14 October – Stakeholder meeting with Cabinet Secretary.

The Minister also reported that £1.6 million has been spent over the past three years to support the roll-out of the SFRS’s wildfire strategy, including:

• Specialist wildfire PPE (400 sets): £300,000.
• 10 All-terrain Vehicles (ATVs) with specialist firefighting fogging units: £334,500.
• 10 ATV trailers: £76,700.
• 10 4x4 towing vehicles for ATVs: £440,500.
• 4 dedicated 4x4 wildfire support vans: £318,800.
• Specialist wildfire equipment: £134,190.

This is also supplemented by the creation of 14 wildfire tactical advisor roles around Scotland. Alongside this, SFRS has delivered a specialist training programme to ensure crews are fully prepared to tackle wildfires safely and effectively.

The recent wildfires have highlighted an uncomfortable reality: without the knowledge and rapid response of local gamekeepers and land managers, the damage to property and wildlife could have been far worse. As fires become more frequent and more difficult to control, the absence of a dedicated rural wildfire service in Scotland is increasingly difficult to justify. A specialised unit, supported by designated aerial resources, would provide the resilience needed to protect both communities and landscapes. While the forthcoming debrief sessions will be important, they must lead to more than discussion. What is needed is a clear commitment to meaningful action before the next wildfire takes hold.