Busy time for fire crews in Highlands
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Fire chiefs have issued a new warning about the threat of wildfires after a spate of blazes in the Highlands during the prolonged dry spell.
Crews have worked to contain several large scale incidents across the region including a large wind driven wildfire that took hold and threatened several properties, causing them to be evacuated near Durness in north-west Sutherland.
There was another significant wildfire at Paul’s Hill Windfarm near Aberlour.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilised a number of fire engines to the scene after the alarm was raised at 10.50pm on Saturday. It took crews two days to bring the fire under control due to it being fanned by high winds.
Meanwhile another major fire across the other side of Scotland saw firefighters battle a forest fire at Loch Doon, Dalmellington in Ayrshire over a total of three days.
Operations Control mobilised three fire engines to the scene after the call first came in at 6.50pm on Saturday. The public was advised to stay away from the area.
Rab Middlemiss, Local Senior Officer for the Highlands, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has recently worked hard to protect communities from this spate of very challenging wildfires, with assistance from our various partners.
“And certainly, our crews here in Highland, worked through some of the most challenging conditions – covering difficult terrain and in high winds – to bring these fires under control and extinguish them, and ultimately protecting life, property and the environment.
“They are an absolute credit to their communities and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment and their professionalism.
"I would also like to note the outstanding effort from firefighters within Operations Control who worked to effectively co-ordinate the appropriate resources and particularly where those incidents were protracted over the course of several days.
“I would also like to thank, as always, the wider Highland community for their outstanding and continued support.”
Latest statistics over the last several days have shown a significant increase in the number of wildfires being experienced across Scotland.
And the whole of the country will face a heightened wildfire threat again over the Easter weekend.
In conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, the SFRS has issued a public warning which will last right through until Saturday.
The fire chief said: “We are appealing to people to take great care – it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and follow the countryside code.
"Just one heat source like a campfire ember can cause it to ignite and if the wind changes direction even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides."
