Fire chiefs are urging people not to light bonfires to dispose of waste, following a string of incidents placing “unnecessary demand” on crews in recent weeks.
People trying to get rid of household or garden waste have sparked several incidents when the flames spread out of control.
Last month crews across Scotland were called to 17 fires which had reached sheds, patios, and items of garden furniture.
This is more than double than during the same time period in the last two years.
Assistant chief officer Stuart Stevens, fire director of service delivery, said: “With bin uplift services in many areas still limited during the coronavirus pandemic, people might be tempted to burn refuse or other materials.
“We cannot stress this enough – lighting bonfires can be dangerous, and we would strongly discourage anyone from attempting to dispose of waste, or other items, in this way.
“This can often be very unsafe in terms of the risk of fire spread – to your own home and possessions, as well as that of neighbours.”
Mr Stevens added: “The smoke can also cause a significant inconvenience to neighbours and nearby properties; can pollute the environment; and impact those with respiratory conditions.
“While we continue to maintain a high resilience across Scotland, we would seek to avoid any unnecessary demand on our service during this unprecedented time.”
Burning waste near grassland or countryside areas could also pose the risk of starting wildfires.
Earlier this month, it took around 50 firefighters more than three days to extinguish a blaze which tore across moorland in in Wester Ross.
The incident is believed to have started due to high winds blowing hot ash from a fire pit into an area of dry vegetation.
