Grantown firefighters postpone charity event because of huge wildfire

Grantown firefighters have had to call off a fundraiser planned for tomorrow because of their on-going involvement in tackling one of the biggest wildfires in the UK in recent years.

They had been scheduled to hold a charity car wash at their station on Woodside Avenue.

However, it will now be rescheduled as the Highlands Fire and Rescue Services resources are stretched dealing with the blaze at Paul's Hill in Moray.

Spokeswoman Alison Jarvis said: "Unfortunately we have had to cancel the charity car wash and will have to reschedule it.

"The ongoing wildfire at Moray has meant that the Grantown firefighters have been working round the clock since Monday with no signs of let up so our resources are depleted until the fire is under control."

Crews were alerted just before 3pm on Easter Monday to the blaze at Paul's Hill near Aberlour.

Dry conditions and high winds caused the flames to spread aggressively, affecting an estimated 50 square kilometres of gorse, grass and forestry, the SFRS said.

At its height, around 80 firefighters, two helicopters, 19 fire engines and specialist resources were called upon to help tackle the fire, which was on four fronts.

Firefighters are still at the scene and they are expected to remain there for several more days.

Area manager Bruce Farquharson was the incident commander and is now overseeing it from the SFRS operations control centre.

He said: "This is shaping up to be one of the largest wildfires that the UK has seen in years.

"The conditions, including the weather, the terrain and the sheer scale of the incident have made it very challenging.

"This type of incident requires a large amount of resources, and we have called upon the resilience of our national service to tackle it.

"Additionally, we have received additional support from our partners - which includes two helicopters which have been working alongside our crews to tackle the fire in difficult-to-reach areas."

Several properties close to the fire have been evacuated as a precaution and the blaze created a large smoke plume which could be seen from space, the fire service said.

Mr Farquharson said: "Many roads in the area remain closed and we are asking people to avoid the area for their own safety, and to allow full access for the emergency services."

He commented: "We will remain on scene for several days yet.

"Our crews continue to work hard and in challenging conditions to contain and extinguish the fire, and they must be commended for their efforts.

"Additionally, the continued support of our partners and emergency service colleagues has been invaluable and our sincere thanks goes to them also."

The Grantown firefighters' charity car wash had been scheduled from 11am to 3pm and was also to provide teas, coffees and home bakes all in aid of a donation to The Firefighter's Charity.

It provides essential support in many ways to firefighter's past and present.

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