Arthur’s Seat Wildfire: A major wildfire broke out at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh on Sunday evening, sending thick smoke across the city and prompting a large-scale response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
Fire crews were called to the popular Holyrood Park landmark at approximately 6:38 p.m. on July 19 after reports of a fire in open ground. Initially, four fire appliances were dispatched, but the response was later increased to six fire engines and specialist wildfire resources as crews battled flames fueled by hot, dry conditions.
Officials confirmed there have been no reported casualties, but residents living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to heavy smoke. Authorities also closed Queen’s Drive and urged the public to avoid Arthur’s Seat while firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Crews warned that operations could continue for several days as they extinguish hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.
The wildfire comes amid a period of very high wildfire risk across Scotland, with prolonged hot, dry weather contributing to dangerous conditions. The blaze also follows another significant fire at Arthur’s Seat earlier this year and ongoing wildfire incidents elsewhere in Scotland, including the Cairngorms.
The cause of the Arthur’s Seat wildfire has not yet been determined, and emergency services continue to monitor the area as investigations remain ongoing.