"Tread lightly" in the Cairngorms
Things are getting hot for the Cairngorms – so much that a weather warning was issued today (Thursday) by the national park authority.
The CNPA are encouraging locals and visitors alike to enjoy the Park this summer but to do so with great care, asking everyone to ensure they “tread lightly in this special place”.
The CNPA’s ‘Tread Lightly’ campaign focuses on five key areas of responsible outdoor access covering camping and litter, outdoor cooking, toilets, fires, and dogs but with prolonged dry spells and breezy conditions, it’s the issue of lighting fires that is of the utmost concern at the moment.
A wildfire at the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate in Deeside in recent weeks was caused by a campfire and affected 10 hectares of old Caledonian pinewood.
CNPA board member and retired countryside ranger Willie McKenna said: “The message is quite simple really – never light a fire during long dry spells of weather or in woodland or on peaty soil. We want people to enjoy the Cairngorms National Park and have a great holiday but not at the expense of our wildlife and the important habitats that support them.”
Other things that people are asked to consider concerning fires are:
- Using a stove for cooking rather than an open fire and if using a foil BBQ tray, always place it on stones, shingle or sand. When finished, damp it down and take it away.
- Never cut down trees or move deadwood for a fire – this is home to insects and other wildlife!
- Do report unattended or out of control fires immediately – time is critical.
- And finally, always heed high fire risk warning signs and the advice of rangers and land managers
