Firefighters tackle blaze at Daviot Wood

FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a massive blaze at a wood near Inverness.

The black plumes of smoke have been seen across the city.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the incident at Daviot Wood just after 11am this morning (Tuesday).

Northern Constabulary officers put a cordon in place to prevent members of the public from walking near to the fire.

There had been fears that the fire which was moving towards Tomfat Wood, owned by the Forestry Commission may have reached nearby electricity pylons.

Eighteen firefighters including retained personnel and a community response unit from Carrbridge which specialises in heath fires have been involved in the incident.

However, whilst the fire in now under control, it is still not fully extinguished and a HIFRS spokesman said he did not know how long firefighters would need to remain at the scene and he asked members of the public to stay away from the area.

He added that their efforts had been made difficult by the wind which was "constantly changing direction."

Group manager David Leishman said: "Because of how the wind is the fire has progressed quite quickly. The fire service assisted by the Forestry Commission and the police are dealing with an incident at a wooded area which backs on to Tomfat Woods.

Smoke billowing from a blaze at Daviot Wood

"It is a large area of wild deep gorse and heather. At this time we have managed to contain it from entering Tomfat Wood."

He added: "In attendance we have three appliances, a community response unit, an Argocat (all terrain vehicle), a four-wheel drive and a water bowser. "We would like to thank the members of the public who have contacted us but we ask for their assistance in staying clear of the area. At this time there is no conclusion of how the fire started and an investigation will follow."

He said because of the location it had been a difficult incident to deal with: "We have two main jets, a number of knapsacks and a jet that is operating a misting unit. This operation has been made more difficult because of water supplies, but the bowser has assisted with that."

A Forestry Commission spokesman said: “The fire was not on Forestry Commission land, however four or five of our guys helped to dampen down the flames. With it being so dry at the moment, we’re asking people to be very careful while out and about, as fires can start very quickly in these conditions.”