Arthur’s Seat blaze disrupts Fringe festival weekend in Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat fire prompts overnight response in Edinburgh

BBC News has reported that firefighters worked overnight to control a large gorse blaze on Arthur’s Seat in central Edinburgh.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the fire was reported at about 16:05 on Sunday, with four appliances and specialist resources sent to the scene.

It said two appliances remained at the location on Monday to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

The SFRS confirmed that there were no reported casualties.

Police Scotland urged members of the public to avoid the area while the fire was being tackled.

Area closures and public safety measures

According to BBC News, a large section of Holyrood Park was closed to pedestrians as the fire spread.

People on Arthur’s Seat were seen leaving the area, with others advised not to approach.

Supporters attending the Hibernian v Kilmarnock football match were told to avoid the Willowbrae, Duddingston and Holyrood areas when leaving Easter Road stadium.

The SFRS said its resources remained on site to monitor the situation and respond to any flare-ups.

Eyewitness account of fire spread

BBC News reported that Nick Brice from Brighton saw the fire spreading while descending Arthur’s Seat.

He told BBC Scotland News: “We could see this little plume of smoke on the ridge at the far side and it just got bigger and bigger.

“All of a sudden we could see these flames starting to come up and people noticed it spreading fast.

“The smoke started to really build and then these flames started to cover the ridge and we realised the wind was blowing it right towards us.

“We had to get down to the road fast because it was going to come across the whole area.”

Mr Brice, who is performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, said he passed people heading uphill and urged them to turn back.

He added: “Now the whole hillside is covered in flames and smoke coming down over the path we walked.”

Wider context and recent wildfire activity

BBC News noted that smoke was visible across Edinburgh during one of the city’s busiest weekends, with multiple festivals taking place and large concerts at Murrayfield.

The SFRS has issued multiple wildfire warnings this year amid a warm and dry summer.

Scottish Water has said the country recorded its driest start to the year since 1964, with all regions experiencing water scarcity in May.

Recent wildfires in the Highlands were described by the SFRS as the largest Scotland has experienced.

Historical fires on Arthur’s Seat

BBC News reported that in February 2019 firefighters tackled a large gorse blaze on Arthur’s Seat.

That fire burned about 800 square metres of gorse on the Salisbury Crags.

Similar fires have occurred periodically during dry weather in Edinburgh.

Arthur’s Seat fire prompts overnight response in Edinburgh: Summary

BBC News reported that a gorse fire broke out on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was reported at about 16:05 and four appliances were sent to the scene.

Two appliances remained on site on Monday to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

There were no reported casualties.

Police Scotland advised the public to avoid the area.

Holyrood Park was partially closed to pedestrians.

Football supporters leaving Easter Road stadium were asked to avoid affected areas.

An eyewitness described seeing flames spreading rapidly due to wind.

The fire occurred during one of Edinburgh’s busiest weekends.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued multiple wildfire warnings this year.

Scotland has experienced a warm and dry summer, with record low rainfall since 1964.

Large wildfires have also recently occurred in the Highlands.

Arthur’s Seat experienced a similar gorse fire in February 2019.