Highland summit to tackle devastating impact of wildfires

A multi-agency meeting will be held later in the Highlands to look at the devastating impact of Scotland’s recent bushfires.

This follows a series of fires at Carrbridge and Dava in the Cairngorms national park, according to landowners. as the greatest in living memory.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said there was an “unprecedented” risk of bushfires this year, with more than 200 incidents across the country.

The summit in Grantown, hosted by the Scottish government, will discuss ways to increase resilience and prevent future outbreaks.

Representatives from SFRS, NatureScotland, Scottish Land and Estates and other land management and environmental groups will attend.

Joint chairs of the summit are Scottish Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown.

Fairlie said: “Tackling the bushfires we have seen this year has required a staggering effort in many areas and we are grateful to everyone who has helped.

“This is a chance for us to look at what worked and what lessons we need to learn from what happened.”

Brown said ministers were “engaging closely” with SFRS, local communities and other groups following this summer’s fires.

He added: “We continue to support the full implementation of the SFRS bushfire strategy, which will ensure the continued introduction of new equipment, tools and personal protective equipment.”

• SFRS classifies wildfires as large, uncontrolled outdoor fires exceeding 1,000 square meters of burned area.
• Fires are unplanned and unpredictable. They occur in areas with flammable vegetation that causes flames to spread rapidly.
• Human activities are often blamed for fires started by barbecues, glass bottles magnifying sunlight on dry vegetation, or discarded cigarettes.
• One of the reasons why fires continue in the steppe is the peaty soil that fuels the flames.

In parts of the Highlands, fires have penetrated deep, consuming peat that had formed thousands of years ago.

Cairngorms National Park Authority land manager Colin McClean said this would have a long-lasting impact on the natural environment.

He said the park had introduced “clear, practical measures” to reduce bushfire risk and said the summit was an opportunity for “critical conversations” on mitigation and management.

SFRS said it would continue to work closely “with partners, landowners and communities, both in our response and, importantly, to help prevent bushfires.”

SFRS deputy chief executive Jon Henderson added: “This year Scotland has faced unprecedented bushfire risk.

“Wildfires can consume a significant portion of our resources, but also have the potential to burn for days and destroy large areas of land and wildlife.”

He said SFRS welcomed the opportunity to attend the summit.