More than 30 firefighters have been tackling a large wildfire in the northern Highlands for more than six hours.
Nine appliances were called to Mobster Croft, in the Spittal area of Caithness, at 11.42am on Saturday.
Crews remain at the scene tackling hotspots, while the public are now being called on to help cut the likelihood of such blazes spreading across the country.
Area manager Bruce Farquharson said: "A great many people will be enjoying the outdoors in the good weather this weekend, we urge everyone to make sure that they don't increase the chance of wildfire - be aware of the risks and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
"Wild and grass fires can start by the careless disposal of cigarettes and barbecues or campfires left unattended.
"They then have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land, wildlife and threaten the welfare of nearby communities."
He added: "Right now, many firefighters across Scotland are actively tackling wildfires, working to protect our communities and their efforts have to be commended.
"However, many of these fires are preventable, and we again urge people to read our safety advice, and enjoy the weather responsibly."
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