Scottish Fire and Rescue Service still fighting wildfire south of Inverness near Daviot, but hopeful it is under control ahead of forecast thunderstorms and heavy rains
FIREFIGHTERS tackling a large wildfire south of Inverness are hopeful that the flames are now under control, even though crews were still actively fighting it on Sunday morning.
Speaking to the Courier shortly after 9am the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said four appliances remained on the site of the fire, near Daviot – down from the six fire engines deployed at the scene last night. The crews in attendance on Sunday morning were from Nairn, Grantown-on-Spey, Beauly and Invergordon.
The SFRS added that other agencies, such as Forest and Land Scotland, were also on site tackling the blaze.
The fire was so intense at its peak that it stretched over more than a mile, and people living in Inverness reported smelling smoke. Fire crews and police have advised people in the area to keep their windows and doors closed.
Related: Inverness residents smell smoke as Daviot wildfire 'stretches over a mile long'
Related: PICTURES: People asked to stay indoors due to wildfire near Inverness
But they are also hopeful that forecast heavy rain will help in their ongoing fight with the blaze – with some showers falling in the wider area overnight, and crews reporting that some rain had started to fall in and around the fire site this morning.
Torrential rains and thunderstorms are forecast in the area on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, two crews still remain in attendance at the scene of a massive wildfire near Cannich, which first erupted into life almost three weeks ago.
Those crews were on a "watching brief" on Sunday morning, ensuring that the scene, which is still smouldering in places, does not flare into life again.