Ross wildfires caused £26m damage
New chief fire officer Trevor Johnson.
THE devastating wildfires which spread across the Highlands and left Wester Ross communities charred and blackened cost the fire service £125,000 and damaged up to £26million worth of heath and forests, it was revealed this week.
Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service responded to over 70 significant wildfires during the very dry spell of weather between April 29 and May 5.
The blazes forced people from their homes and destroyed forests in Torridon and Shiel Bridge, and also affected Dundonnell and Inverkirkaig on the Ross-shire border with Sutherland.
The true impact of these fires, which also raged in Lochaber and Inverness-shire, came to light this week when it was revealed that 1,800 firefighters and 332 fire appliances were involved at a cost of £125,000 to the fire service.
Using the calculation that it costs up to £2,900 to replace a hectare of moorland, it is estimated that it would
cost from £7million up to £26million to reinstate the 9,100 of hectares, including the 3,200 hectares of woodlands, which were destroyed over six days.
The bravery and dedication of the firefighters involved in tackling the Highland wildfires has also been praised by the new chief fire officer and members of the local fire board.
Chief Fire Officer of the HIFRS, Trevor Johnson, said, “The fires we have experienced presented a significant threat to firefighters who often had to work in very difficult terrain. During the fires people’s homes and a campsite had to be evacuated and as a precaution on one occasion a helicopter had to evacuate people from a Munro due to the volume and density of smoke.
“To maintain fire fighting operations over the period almost 1,800 firefighters had to be deployed, with at some locations, considerable assistance being provided by landowners. The dedication of all personnel involved in these operations must be recognised.
‘“The effects of these wildfire is undoubtedly devastating to the rural environment and whilst I am aware that throughout the UK during this period other fires raged out of control, I would doubt if any area was as severely effected as the Highlands.
“This period of activity I am sure will bring wildfires to the fore in the minds of rural landowners and I hope planning to more effectively fight future fires will be improved. I have already been working with lead agencies involved in land management to develop a network of wildfire groups which will bring the capability to coordinate mutual aid between landowners, bringing valued personnel and making specialist equipment available to tackle any large wildfire.”
In Torridon around 10 to 15 square kilometres of heath and 40 acres of trees were destroyed by fires which were tackled by 38 fire appliances and 200 personnel.
Four square miles of land were burnt by fires in Shiel Bridge and were fought by 75 people and 15 fire appliances. Five homes had to be evacuated.
Whilst the direct financial cost of the wildfires in the fire service area of over £125,000 can be attributed to the 332 fire appliance movements that were required, the extended cost is more difficult to quantify as land managers provided both staff and financed the helicopter operation which was required at some fires.
Extensive research on wildfire following fires in Yorkshire in 2003 estimated the cost of reinstating moorland to be between £800 to £2900 per hectare.
During the six-day period from April 29 this year it is estimated that 9,100 hectares of vegetation cover, including 3,200 hectares of forestry was destroyed. Using the Yorkshire estimates this damage represents a potential loss of between £7.2million to £26.4 million.
Highland and Islands Fire Board convener Richard Durham has thanked the chief fire officer for the efforts of his firefighters in protecting lives and containing the damage.
“I am very proud of the firefighters for their outstanding response in tackling these wildfires in some of the most remote areas of the Highlands,” said the Tain and Easter Ross councillor.
“Combatting these fires was a real challenge and I would also like to commend everyone concerned, including employers, landowners and estate workers, for their skill and endurance over this very taxing period. They have served their communities well.”
