Farmers urged to protect properties against blazes
FARMERS and crofters are being urged to take precautions to protect their property as the number of fires in rural areas reached its peak last year.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with NFU Scotland, earlier this year launched the rural risk survey to encourage farmers and crofters to inform SFRS of what they have on their properties, and map out any dangers.
By having a rural risk form completed, fire crews can work to prevent extensive damage in the event of a fire, but also prevent injury to the farmer, crofter, their family, workers and the fire crews.
Last year alone there were 343 fires on agricultural land, with Aberdeenshire (47), Highlands (44) and Dumfries and Galloway (25), topping the table for fires on farms and crofts between April 2015 and March 2016.
The rural risk survey has now been rolled out to three areas of Scotland – South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and Highlands. It is hoped that resources will permit further expansion.
However, even if farmers and crofters are out with these areas, they are encouraged to contact their local fire station to inform them of what they hold on their farms and crofts, in particular those who have silos.
Through the survey, farmers and crofters provide basic details, and are then contacted by SFRS who will come out and map out a plan of the farm to pinpoint hazards, including slurry, but also where livestock are kept, old buildings and the nearest water supply.
NFU Scotland’s president Allan Bowie commented: ‘ A fire on a farm or croft can be devastating and it is worrying to see that incidents are at their peak since 2010.
‘ With farms and crofts often in remote areas, which can on occasion be hard to find, this rural risk survey will assist in helping fire crews to reach the fire quicker and more easily and prevent wider damage.
‘We encourage farmers and crofters to take the time to contact the fire service to inform them of what you hold on your property, and to map out where the dangers are.
‘By doing this, it could save your farm or croft if a fire was to ever occur.
‘Any precaution we can take to make our properties safer can only be a good thing. We are aware of how quickly a fire can spread, please take time to fill out the survey, and contact your local station.’