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Image © Jeff Schmaltz MODIS Land Rapid Response Team NASA

d ~ 324'172'800 km: day 126

Brush fire, bush fire, forest or wild fire - they all refer to the same phenomenon.

In the past week wild fires have swept across parts of the West Highlands in Scotland. But even more recently the situation became more severe when Fife Fire and Rescue reported that a wildfire had broken out in the central belt, the most heavily populated region of Scotland located south of the Highlands.

Wild fires have also ravaged other areas of the UK. Northern Ireland, northwest England and Berkshire have all been struck by these destructive fires. The natural causes of wildfires can range from lightning to volcanic eruptions to spontaneous combustion - but the recent wildfires in the UK may have been started deliberately by members of the public. However the warmest April since records began, leading to an unusually long period of dry conditions certainly played a key role in spreading the fires.

With rainfall well below average in the past two months, the combination of "spring's longer daylight hours and really prolonged dry weather means that any moisture that has been left has evaporated quickly" says Matt Dobson at Meteogroup. This creates the prefect conditions for fires to take hold and strong southeast breeze fanning the flames helped spread the fires.

Wild fires can occur in all parts of the world apart from Antarctica and are most common in spring and summer. In winter there are fewer long dry periods "evaporation rates are very low and you will remember that everywhere stays very damp after it has rained" says Matt Dobson at Meteogroup, so the fires don't spread.

Fortunately a respite from the fires may be on the way. The next few days should see "an increase in rain and thunderstorm and hopefully an end to the current conditions". Which is good news for the fire-fighters and the forests.

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