Fields of fire at Freswick and beyond
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CAITHNESS and Sutherland were ablaze on Sunday with three separate moorland fires tackled by firefighters.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was alerted at 11.01pm on Sunday [April 14] to reports of a wildfire near Freswick.
A SFRS spokesman said: “Operations control mobilised four fire engines to the scene, where firefighters were met by a fire which had taken hold of a section of gorse.
“Challenging conditions meant firefighters worked throughout the night in an effort to control the fire before extinguishing it. Crews left the scene after ensuring the area had been made safe.”
Graham Borthwick was driving in the area late on Sunday evening when he noticed the flames and snapped a photograph.
"I just found it bizarre at that time of night. It was eerie driving and not knowing what had happened, thinking perhaps it was an accident."
Mr Borthwick said the fire seemed to be spreading quite rapidly and was suspicious that the blaze seemed to have started from around a lay-by area.
"It's quite unnerving how these three fires started in different locations but the main thing is that no human life was harmed."
Around the same time as the Freswick blaze firefighters were also out tackling another moorland fire in north Sutherland.
The SFRS spokesman said firefighters were alerted at 12.08pm on Monday, April 15 to reports of a wildfire near Strathy Point.
“Operations Control mobilised one fire engine to the scene, where firefighters were met by a fire which had taken hold of a section of heather.
“Crews extinguished the fire and left the scene after ensuring the area had been made safe.”
Throughout the Sunday, firefighters tackled another Sutherland wildfire near Kinbrace and were alerted at 11.23am.
The spokesman said: “Operations Control mobilised two fire engines to an area of hills, where crews were met by a fire which had taken hold of a large section of heather. Firefighters worked throughout the night in an effort to control the fire."
SFRS area manager Bruce Farquharson is the chairman of the Scottish Wildfire Forum. He said: "We saw last year the devastating effect wildfires can have on communities and wildlife.
"The dry weather we are currently experiencing means there is a heightened risk of wildfire across the country.
"Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage.
"Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities."
The fire services work closely with land managers, communities and other safety partners to help prevent these incidents ever occurring.
Area manager Farquharson continued: "At the start of spring there is often a lot of dead vegetation leftover from last year – this fuel can dry out quickly with higher temperatures and lower humidity levels.
"A great many people will be enjoying the outdoors in the good weather this weekend. We urge everyone to make sure that they don’t increase the chance of wildfire – be aware of the risks and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
"Wildfires are a major threat to our wildlife and wild places. We encourage people visiting the outdoors to be extra careful, and check the advice in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before starting a fire.
"The public can help prevent wildfires by making sure they dispose of litter and smoking materials carefully while in rural areas."
For further advice and information about wildfires and how to prevent them visit www.firescotland.gov.uk or www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/
