Fires threat to woodlands
Deliberate blazes cause damage
Mindless firebugs are causing serious damage to woodland in West Lothian.
A spate of fire raising incidents have taken place in Livingston and so far this year Woodland Trust Scotland has had to fell 20 mature trees in the town after fire damage made them unsafe.
Recently Ladywell has been seeing three to five fires a week.
Knightsridge has had a longstanding fire problem but in recent weeks East Wood, Eliburn and Wilderness have also seen incidents.
Woodland Trust Scotland site manager, Jean Frame, said the attacks are disheartening and cause serious damage to the environment.
She said: “Livingston really benefits from having so much woodland intertwined with the community.
“We love looking after the woods so residents can enjoy them, but it is very frustrating when small numbers of people cause such harm.
“Working with West Lothian Council, Almond Housing Association and local residents we launched the Nae Messin’ campaign this year to raise awareness of problems of anti-social behaviour and also get people to make the most of these woods on their doorstep.
“They are such a terrific asset – boosting the quality of life for everyone in the town – but they are being badly abused at the moment.
“We want to make the most of Livingston’s woods – Nae Messin’ – and definitely nae fires.”
As well as fires, there are also ongoing problems at some of the town’s woods with flytipping, sometimes of very large items including sinks, mattresses and carpets.
Some residents dump their garden waste in the nearest wood rather than disposing of it properly.
The Nae Messin’ campaign aims to increase information on proper routes to dispose of waste.
But now fire-starting has emerged as a worrying new craze to add to the woods’ woes.
Jean added: “The damage so far has been bad enough but if it is a dry summer we worry that a blaze could really take hold and harm not just trees but people.
“We are now on alert for the culprits and we will report them.
“We have sympathetic local residents looking out too.
“Police are aware of the issue as well.”