The number of wildfires in West Dunbartonshire between February and August of last year has been revealed.

New statistics from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) show that 133 incidents of wildfire were recorded between March and June 2023, typically the busiest time of the year for wildfires in Scotland.

And West Dunbartonshire was the seventh worst affected local authority in the country, level with Stirling, after experiencing six wildfires.

Speaking as a wildfire prevention campaign was launched, Bruce Farquharson, deputy assistant chief officer at SFRS, said: “Wildfires are extremely dangerous as they can spread rapidly over many hectares of land.

“Careless behaviour is often the root cause of wildfires which have the potential to burn for days or weeks, placing a significant drain on our crews.

“With sensible precautions, the public can play a crucial part in preventing wildfires from damaging wildlife, environment and rural communities.

“When there is an active wildfire warning in place, we would ask people not to start a fire outdoors.

“Even with the best of intentions, there is still a risk that fire can spread.  For example, if you light a campfire and don’t fully extinguish it before you leave, it can have devastating consequences.

“People should also ensure other items such as cigarettes are disposed of safely and responsibly."