More than 30 firefighters battle Culbin Forest blaze for second day

Firefighters are continuing to battle a forest wildfire between the Highlands and Moray.

Emergency services were called to the blaze in the Culbin Forest area at around 8.37am on Monday.

The forest area stretches for around 20 miles from Nairn to Burghead.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed more than 30 firefighters remained at the scene of the blaze on Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to the blaze in the Culbin Forest area. Jasper Image

The blaze is around 800 x 500 metres in size.

Police Scotland is urging people to avoid the area and those nearby are being asked to keep windows closed.

It comes after firefighters extinguished a wildfire near Shotts, North Lanarkshire.

Six fire appliances went to the scene in the Springhill and Leadloch Road areas just outside Shotts after the alarm was raised at 4.09pm on Sunday.

More than 30 firefighters were involved at the height of the incident, which came as an “extreme” risk of wildfire warning was in place across Scotland.

Firefighters were at the scene on Monday morning but left at about 10am after extinguishing the blaze.

Due to high winds, smoke was drifting across Shotts on Sunday and residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed.

An SFRS warning of “extreme” risk of wildfire across the country came into force on Thursday, May 15, and expired on Monday May 19.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “More than 30 firefighters are currently tackling a wildfire in Culbin Forest, Forres, measuring approximately 800 x 500 metres.

“At its height, six fire appliances and specialist resources, including a helicopter which was dropping water on the affected area, were mobilised after the alarm was raised at 8.37am on Monday, May 19.

“As a precaution, the public are asked to avoid the area and those who live nearby are advised to close windows and doors due to the smoke in the vicinity.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland: “Emergency services remain in attendance in the Culbin Forest area following a wildfire around 3.10pm on Monday, May 19.

“There are no reports of any injuries.

“Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area and those nearby are being asked to keep windows closed.”