Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson has accused the First Minister of “shameful political point scoring” after quizzing him over the extreme wildfire risk warning.
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP asked what actions the Scottish Government was taking following the wildfire warning issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the coming days.
Scotland’s national fire service has voiced fears that low-lying areas in Scotland, including the South West, could be at serious risk and urged the public to take caution.
But instead of addressing the issue, John Swinney attacked Mr Carson and his Scottish Conservative colleagues for not backing the Scottish Government’s recent budget!
Speaking after First Minister’s Questions, Mr Carson said: “The response from John Swinney is nothing short of disgraceful and misguided.
“Quite how he can turn the real and genuine concerns from rural communities in my constituency regarding the wildfire warnings into political point scoring is beyond me.
“I sincerely hope that when he reflects back on his answer that he will wholeheartedly apologise for his ill-judged comments.
“To say that I had a brass neck to ask him about the wildfire warnings because I didn’t support the SNP budget is totally ridiculous and out of order.”
The local constituency MSP says communities are naturally concerned by the wildfire risk warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Mr Carson explained: “Last year the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dealt with 133 wildfire incidents between March and June, including 10 in Dumfries and Galloway.
“Despite a small increase in the latest budget, Scotland’s national fire service has been cut to the bone with cuts to firefighter numbers, fire engines and stations being brought to their knees.
“This is not me saying these words but the Fire Brigades Union who have voiced serious concerns over previous underfunding.
“It is clear that there needs to be a drastic rethink and additional resources made available to protect homes and lives.”
Temperatures are expected to reach up to 18C over the weekend prompting SFRS Group Commander Murray Dalgleish to urge the public to exercise extreme caution when venturing outdoors.
The fire chief says the public should think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.
He fears livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest could potentially be devasted by wildfires.
