Home   News   Article

WATCH: Video of massive Highland wildfire that covers area larger than Loch Ness and is visible from space


By Philip Murray

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Footage from the RSPB's helicopter video of the wildfire and (inset) smoke from the fire visible from orbit, with Loch Ness visible off to the east.
Footage from the RSPB's helicopter video of the wildfire and (inset) smoke from the fire visible from orbit, with Loch Ness visible off to the east.

THE RSPB has released video of the monster wildfire that has devastated an area of the Highlands bigger than the surface area of Loch Ness and which is visible from space.

The wildlife conservation charity posted the video a short time ago alongside an update that revealed the wildfire has caused "extensive" damage to its Corrimony nature reserve.

Firefighters are still battling the huge blaze, which the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service estimates has consumed an area near Cannich measuring roughly eight kilometres by eight kilometres – or 64 square kilometres – and is thought to be the biggest wildfire in the UK's history. Some reports have even placed the damaged as extending across 80 square kilometres.

For perspective, the entire surface area of Loch Ness is 56.4 square kilometres, and that of Loch Lomond is 71 square kilometres.

Related: UPDATE: Injured firefighters leave hospital as wildfire 'very high' risk warning extended to all Scotland

The smoke from the huge blaze was so extensive earlier this week that it could even be spotted by NASA satellites in orbit.

Two firefighters were also injured when their all-terrain vehicle was involved in an accident. They were later released from hospital.

A spokesman for the RSPB said: "We are currently working with Scottish Fire and Rescue, other landowners, and our neighbours to control the wildfire at Cannich, which has spread to our Corrimony nature reserve.

"A huge thank you to everyone for all of their efforts.

"The damage to Corrimony is extensive, and made even more devastating by the impact on many ground nesting birds who have lost their chicks and eggs.

"Work is ongoing [at Corrimony] to control the fire and assess its impact.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More