Nearly 50 firefighters tackle Fife forest blaze

Nearly 50 firefighters battled to tackle a major forest fire in west Fife yesterday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed.

Six fire crews and two specialist vehicles worked to try to bring the blaze in Devilla Forest, just off the A985 Kincardine to Dunfermline road, under control.

No casualties were reported, but a huge amount of resources were deployed by the fire service to manage the situation.

Two fire engines from Falkirk and pumps from Alloa, Dunfermline, Larbert and Stirling all attended after the blaze was first reported at 2pm.

A command support unit from Liberton in Edinburgh was also assisting, as was an allterrain vehicle from Dunblane.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area if possible and a Police Scotland spokesperson asked residents to keep their windows and doors shut because of the smoke.

Crews were expected to be on the scene well into the night.

Residents said it appeared the fire had started behind an area known as the red squirrel trail, but the exact cause is yet to be determined.

Smoke could be seen for miles around during the height of the blaze.

An investigation is likely to be carried out in due course, although a spokesperson for the fire service confirmed it appeared to be a wildfire.