Wildfires devastate forest regeneration
A wildfire burns in Kintail across Loch Duich
AS wildfires continue to rage in Ross-shire, fire chiefs are warning the public that they can spread fast, potentially threatening lives.
The severe fire at Torridon is ongoing with units from Inverness, Cromarty, Torridon and Balintore - a total of 23 personnel - fighting the hill fire.
A helicopter is continuing to provide essential assistance by water-bombing the blaze in areas inaccessible to crews on foot.
Several homes in Inverkirkaig in Assynt and Shiel Bridge in Kintail were evacuated because of advancing flames.
After a big firefighting effort over 28 hours, the blaze at Dundonnell has now been extinguished, and the fire at Glenshiel has also been brought under control.
Area manager Scott Hay said: "Members of the public should be aware that wildfires are very dangerous, can spread fast, change direction and jump to other areas, potentially threatening lives.
"As the dry weather continues, there is a continuing severe risk of further fires occurring and the public are warned to be vigilant and avoid discarding cigarette ends, lighting barbecues or other recreational activities which may result in fire outbreak."
The National Trust for Scotland said two of its key properties in Ross-shire had been badly affected by the wildfires - Torridon and Kintail, and Morvich both in Wester Ross.
The fire reached one of the trust’s forest regeneration plantations above Kintail village and the A87.
Pete Selman, the trust’s director of property and visitor services, said: "Despite the best efforts of the crews on the ground, once the fires reached the trees, the flames leapt as high as 40 feet.
"The loss of the mature trees is heartbreaking to all those involved in forest regeneration in the area over many years. However, the main thing is that no-one was hurt."
