Wildfire hotspot warning

NEW analysis has revealed that Galloway Forest Park is an emerging wildfire hotspot – threatening hundreds of thousands of hectares of woodland.

Using a combination of drought modelling and fire spread analysis, carbon insurance firm Artio has identified the park as a ‘high risk’ area for future wildfires.

The study highlights how reduced precipitation and prolonged dry spells during June and July 2025 created pockets of extreme dryness, and when combined with environmental factors, such as wind direction and topography, these conditions significantly increase the likelihood of fire ignition by two-fold and the area that fires can spread by more than 30 per cent.

With thousands of hectares of active and planned carbon-focused land in Scotland, researchers believe the analysis highlights the importance of integrating climate resilience into carbon project design, alongside contingency planning for communities and local authorities.

Commenting on their findings Bilal Hussain, co-founder and CEO at Artio, commented: “Scotland plays a pivotal role in the UK’s carbon ecosystem, with its woodland and peatland projects providing vital natural climate solutions. However, for these projects to succeed and deliver long-term climate benefits, they must be underpinned by robust planning and proactive management.

“By mapping where vulnerabilities are greatest, we can enable better decision-making, attract sustained investment and protect the communities that depend on them.”