Wildlife scorched as gamekeepers help firefighters battle raging wildfires

This article contains images that some readers may find distressing

Gamekeepers in Scotland worked with firefighters to battle two raging wildfires this week, with some wildlife lost.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) says around 20 gamekeepers answered a call on Monday afternoon to attend an out-of-control fire in the Pentland Hills Regional Park near Edinburgh.

Six fire engines were mobilised by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, assisted by gamekeepers, who attended with three fogging units, leaf blowers and swipes.

While the joint effort, also assisted by neighbouring farmers, succeeded in extinguishing the fire, birds and nests were scorched as the fire moved over the heather at speed.

Bird scorched during wildfires SGA Media

The cause of the wildfire is still to be established, the SGA said.

The blaze affected a large area of grass approximately 50 metres x 100 metres, with crews leaving the scene after battling the fire for around six hours.

At one stage, the attending crew considered calling a helicopter for assistance to douse the flames, but the land managers had brought the fire under control.

“It was a big fire, and if the local estates hadn’t turned up with their equipment, the fire might have just run on.

“The area is known as the Black Hill, and if the wind direction had changed, it would have taken the whole hill out,” Andy Buchan, one of the attending gamekeepers, said.

“The equipment was really important in getting the fire under control, but it was such a shame to see the cost to the wildlife when we looked back over the ground.”

Gamekeepers help battle wildfires. SGA Media

Another wildfire took hold in the Cairngorms National Park at Lochan Mor near Aviemore on Tuesday.

Rothiemurchus Estate staff, fire crews and local gamekeepers from Kinveachy Estate managed to extinguish the flames before it engulfed the wider forest area.

Park authorities recently introduced a new fire bylaw from April 1 to September 30, prohibiting fires and barbecues.

SGA chairman, Alex Hogg, said: “With hot weather and changing fire seasons in Scotland, gamekeepers will have an increasing role to play in protecting people and property.

“We are proud of what our members do, using their skills and knowledge to help, where they can”.

Wildfire warning as temperatures soar

A warning of a very high wildfire risk has been issued for parts of Scotland in the coming days as warm weather continues.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF), is warning that on Thursday, there is a very high risk of wildfires in the south-west of the country.

Eastern Scotland has also been issued a warning that lasts from Friday until Monday.

Those in affected areas have been urged to avoid lighting outdoor fires.

Edinburgh & East

Firefighters tackle ‘large grass fire’ on Arthur’s Seat overnight

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews from a number of appliances are still in attendance at the beauty spot

Deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour, who is SFRS’ head of prevention and the chair of the SWF, said: “Even a single spark can quickly escalate, causing widespread damage.

“Taking simple precautions can help prevent devastating damage. Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire.

“Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors. And if anyone spots an outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”

It comes after Scotland recorded its warmest day of the year so far on Monday.

The end of the bank holiday weekend brought unseasonably high temperatures across the country, with temperatures in some spots 12 °C above the average.

The previous warmest day of the year was on April 30, with a high of 24.7 °C.

On Monday, temperatures reached 26.6 °C at Charterhall in the Scottish Borders, while it reached 25.5 °C at Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens.

The warnings come as fire crews tackled a blaze which broke out on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.

Three appliances were initially sent to the scene, with members of the public asked to avoid the area as crews worked to extinguish the large grass fire.

The fire started in an area of vegetation near the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel, and there were no reported injuries.

Images showed a large area of grass alight.