THERE'S an "extreme" risk of wildfires in some parts of Scotland at the end of this week, the country's fire and rescue service has warned.

The advice comes hours after the First Minister announced that people in Scotland would be able to travel anywhere in the country for outdoor recreation from Friday, April 16 onwards with the lifting of the Covid travel ban.

The warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is in place from Thursday, April 15 until Saturday, April 17.

In West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and the Loch Lomond area the risk is described as "very high" - but according to a map published by SFRS the local area at highest risk is the Kilpatrick Hills.

In western Argyll, parts of the west Highlands and the far west of Dumfries and Galloway, the risk level is "extreme".

SFRS has urged people who live within or who may enter rural environments to exercise caution throughout the warning period.

The map pictured below shows the extreme risk areas marked in red.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.

Bruce Farquharson from the SFRS said: "We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

"Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.

"Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.

"These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

"Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."