New report sets out environmental impact of peatland wildfire
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THE Flow Country wildfire that raged for almost a week in May this year could have released an amount of carbon into the atmosphere equivalent to six days’ worth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report.
The fire burned for almost six days, affecting more than 5000 hectares of internationally important peatland between Melvich and Strathy and coming close to encroaching on houses.
Analysis was carried out by consultancy business Ricardo for the conservation charity WWF, whose head of policy for Scotland spoke of a "lucky escape" as she said the fire could have been even more damaging.
The Flow Country is under consideration for World Heritage Site status for its globally rare type of blanket peatland and is estimated to store 400 million tonnes of carbon.
The study used an approach based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methods, making a low-range estimate of carbon loss at 174,000 tonnes of carbon lost from the peatland into the atmosphere during the blaze. This figure is the equivalent of 6.2 days of daily average greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland.
The level of climate emissions from peatland wildfires can depend on severity of the fire and prior condition of the peat. Healthy peatlands in good condition will release around five times less carbon during wildfires compared to a peat bog that has been drained.
More severe fires will leave bare peat, damaging the ability of peatlands to take carbon out the atmosphere, and requiring restoration to return the peatland more quickly to good health. The desk-based study provides estimates of the impacts, using conservative scenarios for these factors.
A more in-depth study, using expert fieldwork, has been launched by scientists at the University of the Highlands and Islands and will examine how different styles of land management have affected the impact of the fire.
As climate change is believed to be increasing the frequency of these types of wildfires in the UK, WWF Scotland is calling for urgent action to protect and restore what it says are vital carbon stores – including increased funding from the Scottish Government of at least £20 million a year.
Gina Hanrahan, head of policy for WWF Scotland, said: “We’re facing twin climate and nature crises. People and nature in the UK are already feeling the impacts of climate change, and we have little time left to act if we are to avoid its worst effects.
"This analysis puts into stark figures the importance of our peatlands and the huge cost to climate and nature when something goes wrong. Reports suggest that the vegetation is recovering well, at least in some areas, and we’ve had a lucky escape – this fire could have been even more damaging for our atmosphere.
“How we manage and care for our peatlands influences their effect on climate change, as well as fire risk and how the habitat responds, so protecting and restoring peatlands needs to be a vital part of our response to both the climate and nature crises. That’s why we need to see increased, long-term funding for peatland restoration in the next Scottish Government budget.”
Emma Goodyer, manager of IUCN UK Peatland Programme, said: “There have been a number of peatland wildfires across the UK this year which have resulted in damage to habitat, carbon emissions and potential human health concerns from the resulting air pollution.
“Healthy peatlands are more resilient to fire. A great deal of peatland restoration work is being undertaken across the UK already with at least 150 projects carried out in Scotland.
"However, we need to increase the scale of funding available for peatland restoration if we are to urgently respond to the climate crisis and to increase the resilience of our peatlands.”
Bruce Farquharson, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area manager and chairman of the Scottish Wildfire Forum, said: “As an organisation, we have been proactive in dealing with the potential impact of climate change. We have put in in place a strategy of training, prediction, public communication and targeted resourcing to deal with future demands.
"As a country, there’s no doubt that if we experience dryer, colder winters and increasingly warm summers, this can impact on the scale and intensity of wildfire.
“It is for that reason we are working with key stakeholders and land managers in rural communities to form integrated partnerships to prevent wildfire starting and to protect communities when they do.
"Sadly, we have seen already this year the devastating impact wildfire can have on communities, wildlife, land and livestock. Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by these incidents, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage.”
Portskerra resident Alex Patience said: “The fire was of huge concern within the local community, and for those fighting it, but also for the wildlife living on the peatlands. Firefighters were on site for days and days, and the main road was closed during that time, causing major upheaval for residents.
“I think it’s important to recognise that, although our lives were disrupted, sadly the local wildlife has taken much longer to recover. For example I only started to see small birds returning to my garden in mid-October, months after the fire.
“This fire made clear that we are living under the false pretence in Scotland that we are safe from such disasters, but we really aren’t. These fires spread really quickly and can be a serious threat.”
Dr Jeremy Wiltshire of Ricardo, an author of the report for WWF, said: “Greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires on peatland can be large and have significant variation depending on fire severity. Drainage of peat can influence fire severity, indicating an urgent need to restore drained peatland to its former condition.”
Crews from Thurso, Wick, Dunbeath, Kinlochbervie and Tongue were among those called out to deal with the blaze. Helicopters were brought in to water-bomb hot spots and smoke could be seen from miles away.
The A836 north coast road had to be closed for a time and hundreds of residents were left without power as pylons were damaged.
Members of Melvich Village Hall committee opened up the hall and put on food and drink for the fire units.
