Young firestarters in Dumfries
North West Dumfries is the hotspot for deliberate fire-raising.
Last updated 27th Nov 2025
A small group of yobs were responsible for dozens of fires recorded in two areas of Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year.
As has been the case for years now, North West Dumfries is the hotspot for deliberate fireraising, with 30 incidents recorded in the first half of 2025/26.
However, a further 14 blazes were started in Mid and Upper Nithsdale during the same period, according to a new Dumfries and Galloway fire service report.
Both these areas account for more than half of all deliberate fires across the entire region.
A fire service performance report, for between April 25 and September 25 this year, will be tabled at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s police, fire, and rescue sub-committee next week.
The report states: “An increase in deliberate fires has been observed in this reporting period following a spike during the summer months when schools are on holiday.
“Repeat offenders have been identified in North West Dumfries and Upper and Mid Nithsdale which together, account for over 50 percent of the total deliberate fires observed.
“These offenders have been engaged with through SFRS Firesetter Support and Education Programme (FSSE), alongside partner agencies and parents with the aim of reducing deliberate fires and reducing the risk of harm to these youngsters.
“The significant drop of incidents in quarter two compared to quarter one highlights the positive impact that the intervention from CAT is having.”
The fire service report explained that there were a total of 886 incidents recorded, 239 of which were fires, 160 were non-fire incidents such as road traffic accidents, and 412 related to false alarms.
A total of 37 people had to be rescued by firefighters, with three of them receiving first aid or hospital treatment.
The report states: “A total of 866 incidents were recorded in this reporting period, reflecting a slight increase on the same period last year, but a 10 percent decrease on the 2023-24 total and still below the four-year average.
“These 239 fires reflects an increase on the previous reporting period figures, with outdoor fires contributing to this increase – highlighting the challenges faced by crews with regards to a busy wildfire period.
“Despite this rise, the total number of fires is still below the four-year average and a general downward trend of 20 percent has been observed since 2022/23.”