Deliberate wildfires "a waste of taxpayer money"

There’s a warning not to set fires in the North East countryside, after major wildfires that have required major emergency responses - including on the Gramps and Wellington Road in Aberdeen.

No one has been injured but extensive parts of the land have been damaged.

Inspector Steve McEwan, of Nigg Community Policing Team, said: "We would urge anyone who has seen anything unusual or suspicious around the times of these fires to contact police.

"The deliberate starting of fires creates an obvious risk to those involved, members of the public and the emergency services. The fire service have had to attend on at least five occasions in the last month which is a huge commitment of resources.

"Such incidents have the potential to have very serious consequences and I would urge anyone who knows anything to contact police on 101. In an emergency dial 999."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is warning that grass fires can endanger life, devastate property, affect local businesses and can have an impact on the local environment.

Group Manager Gordon Riddel, who manages Prevention and Protection for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire & Moray, said:

“The SFRS is appealing in particular to young people during school holidays to consider the consequences of deliberately setting a fire.

“We would urge parents to ensure that their children know about and understand the potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have, as well as the impact for responding emergency services.

“We will continue to work with our Police Scotland colleagues to ensure each incident is fully investigated, as much intelligence is gathered - and that perpetrators are ultimately caught.”