Risk of wildfire remains exceptional high in strath despite turn to cooler weather
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The risk of wildfires across moorland and grassland in the Highlands remains exceptionally high, gamekeepers and estates have warned.
There have already been a spate of wildfires south of the border, including one on Bamford Moor in Derbyshire’s Peak District on Saturday evening.
The fire, which is believed to have been started by a barbecue, was tackled by gamekeepers using their own specialist firefighting equipment until fire services arrived.
There have been a series of fires in Scotland over the past three months too including at Glenfeshie, by Strathpeffer and near Bannockburn.
May was the sunniest month in the UK since records began, the Met Office has said.
Scottish Land & Estates has claimed that the suspension of muirburning because of Coronavirus has added to the problems.
Tim Baynes, Moorland Director at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Each year we are witnessing more and more wildfires occurring on moorland and grassland and this period of exceptionally hot weather in the UK has heightened the risk once again.
“These fires often occur by innocuous means such as discarded cigarettes and disposable barbecues and we need to ensure the correct precautions are taken by those accessing hills and moors.
"Sadly, those managing rural land have found more careless behaviour occurring since lockdown rather than less.
“Wildfires not only create a safety risk for all of us but are also devastating for wildlife, particularly for ground nesting birds, insects and mammals.
"We would urge the public to take care and leave items such as barbecues at home.
“Estates with grouse moors and upland farmers practise controlled burning early in the year to create fire breaks and reduce grass and heather loads which could be susceptible to wildfire.
"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has backed the use of controlled burning to combat wildfires and we continue to see time, knowledge and private investment from gamekeepers and estates being utilised to prevent wildfires and tackle them when they do unfortunately occur.
"Through investment in on off-road vehicles and 'fogging' units, skilled staff and specialist insurance which can allow for the use of helicopters to tackle wildfires, we estimate that tens of millions of pounds worth of resources are available to help quickly tackle wildfires in conjunction with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
"Often a nearby estate is in a position to be ‘first responder’ and can contain a wildfire before it becomes serious.”
That sentiment was echoed by Iain Hepburn, head gamekeeper at Dunmaglass Estate in the Monadhliath.
Mr Hepburn, a retained firefighter, said: “I know only too well how a wildfire can quickly take hold and rage out of control.
"Understanding the techniques for mitigating the risk is essential, particularly in remote rural areas of Scotland where large areas of land are at high risk during warm weather...
“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, moorland managers and estates across the country decided to voluntarily stop muirburn at the end of March to avoid placing additional strain on public services, even though the risk of a planned fire getting out of control on managed moorland was very small.
"The Scottish Government then introduced new emergency Covid-19 legislation suspending muirburn until the end of the season. It is vital that the ability to carry out muirburn is reinstated in September for the start of the next muirburn season.
"In the meantime, gamekeepers and estates will remain vigilant and on call to help with wildfires wherever they occur.”
