Fire on Liathach - Andrew Doggett
Moorland fires have broken out in the Highlands as the long dry spell of weather continues. The BBC reports on large blazes being fought by fire crews at Torridon – where properties were under threat – in Lochaber, the Trossachs, Kintail and by Dundonnell. The fires have been burning since Saturday, and hillwalkers have had to be lifted by helicopter from Liathach, where water has also been dropped from the air on the flames. There are road closures in the Trossachs where fires are burning on the north side of Loch Katrine, and the main road through Kintail was closed for a time.
Hillwalker Andrew Doggett was on Liathach on Sunday and has captured dramatic images of the burning mountain.
The Torridon fire has affected the threatened Inveralligin forestry scheme and Torridon village, as well as Torridon House and nearby woodlands. In Kintail, like Torridon owned by the National Trust for Scotland, firefighters had to work hard to protect Invershiel, but, unfortunately, late on Sunday night, the flames reached one of the Trust’s forest regeneration plantations above Kintail Village and the A87.
The Trust’s Director of Property and Visitor Services, Pete Selman said: “Despite the best efforts of the crews on the ground, once the fires reached the trees, the flames leapt as high as 40 feet. At one point it looked as if the plantation might have been saved but the fires flared up again and, as it was getting dark, the teams had to come off the hill for their own safety.
“The loss of the mature trees is heartbreaking to all those involved in forest regeneration in the area over many years. However, the main thing is that no-one was hurt. We will look at our options once the immediate priorities are dealt with and our aim will be to begin re-establishment of the affected area of forest once again.”
With fires still burning at both Liathach and Kintail today (Monday), senior staff of the Trust expressed deep gratitude for the efforts of all involved, notably Highland Fire Brigade, the Coastguard and the Trust’s own locally-based teams, in tackling the extensive and highly dangerous blazes.
Selman added: “The first priority was to ensure the safety of all people in the area, including local residents and walkers out on the hills. Firefighters then had to battle to keep the flames away from houses and farms.
“Crews showed great courage and determination in tackling the fires, which were being stoked by a combination of very dry and warm conditions and strong winds. The scale of the fires was such that it was necessary to call out a helicopter to water bomb them and we are thankful that these efforts ensured that no-one was injured.
“The forecast is for the combination of dry, warm weather and strong winds to persist until the end of week. These events are a salutary reminder of why we ask all visitors to our countryside properties to take extra care and apply common sense and not light fires or barbecues in close proximity to dry heather, grass and scrubland.”