Public warned after gamekeepers tackle wildfire in Angus glen

glenesk: It is thought the blaze at the top of Loch Lee was started by a carelessly discarded cigarette or campfire

Gamekeepers battled to bring a potentially devastating countryside wildfire in Angus under control.

The wildfire broke out at the top of Loch Lee in Glenesk after being started by a carelessly discarded cigarette or a campfire.

The alarm was raised at around 3.15pm on Friday and 24 people from five different estates arrived in under an hour to extinguish the fire.

The quick response from Angus Moorland Group members and other keepers ensured it was brought under control within a few hours.

The keepers worked through the night to monitor and control the flames until around 3am on Saturday.

The fire started up again and worked its way up the face on Saturday afternoon due to the dry conditions, before finally being extinguished.

Lianne MacLennan, from the Angus Glens Moorland Group, said wildfires can be extremely detrimental to the wildlife living and thriving on the moors.

She said: “Gamekeepers have skills, training and equipment to be able to access remote areas quickly.

“Without this, the fire would have spread further and caused more damage.

“At this time of year, with the dry conditions and fine weather we are experiencing, this could have been extremely detrimental to our wildlife, particularly the ground nesting birds.

“It’s vital that the public are more aware and cautious when out, as something like this can happen so easily, simply by not putting out a cigarette or not ensuring campfires or disposable barbecues are extinguished properly.”

Wildfire danger warnings are in place for the east, south east and parts of south west of Scotland until Thursday.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is calling on the public to help cut the likelihood of such blazes spreading across the country.

A spokesman for SFRS said: “Wild and grass fires can start by the careless disposal of cigarettes and barbecues or campfires left unattended.

“They then have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land, wildlife and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.

“Right now, many firefighters across Scotland are actively tackling wildfires, working to protect our communities and their efforts have to be commended.

“However, many of these fires are preventable and we again urge people to read our safety advice, and enjoy the weather responsibly.”

Something like this can happen so easily, simply by not putting out a cigarette or not ensuring campfires or disposable barbecues are extinguished properly

The keepers worked through the night to control the flames until around 3am on Saturday.