Wildfires have broken out in Scotland as Britain continues to battle high temperatures amid a heatwave.
Fire crews have been tackling blazes in Scotland since Saturday, June 28, including across Aberdeenshire, in the Highlands and Moray.
The latest incident near Forres, Moray, was reported to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service just before 9am today.
In a statement, the fire service said: “More than 25 firefighters and six fire appliances are currently working to tackle an outdoor fire near Forres in Moray, after the alarm was raised at 8.51am on Monday, June 30.
Wildfires have been seen scattered across Scotland
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“Due to strong winds, a significant plume of smoke is spreading into nearby residential areas. If you can see smoke, please ensure your windows and doors are closed.”
Pictures show large patches of land alight as the fires take hold on land in Scotland, with black smoke seen filling the air.
Police have closed a number of nearby roads as fire crews continue to work at the scene of the infernos.
It comes as temperatures are expected to reach highs of 34C across Britain today, with the UK Health Security Agency having extended an amber heat health alert.
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The alert – which was set to expire at 10am today before being extended to Wednesday – is focused on five major regions including Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West.
Britons should expect impacts on health and social care services due to the high temperatures, the agency warned.
Meanwhile, today marked the hottest start to Wimbledon ever, with the previous opening day record standing at 29.3C.
The infernos could be seen from miles away
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The Met Office’s three-month summer outlook predicts a 45 per cent chance of a hotter-than-average summer.
It warns further heatwaves are possible before autumn, with climatic factors to blame including a “global warming trend”.
