Stonehaven blaze prompts warning on wildfires

A FOREST blaze in Stonehaven which required the attendance of more than 50 firefighters is a timely reminder of the dangers of wildfires at this time of year, a fire manager has claimed.

Eleven appliances and several support vehicles spent much of Monday afternoon bringing the wildfire under control.

The work by fire crews ensured the blaze did not spread to a nearby pine tree plantation.

With rural Scotland now in the high risk season for wildf ires, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s new wildf ire project manager Garry Burnett has highlighted the dangers associated with this type of fire.

He said: “The incident on Craigneil Hill near Stonehaven was an excellent example of how wildf ire can become a resource intensive and challenging incident to bring under control.

“This period of the year is especially prone to wildfire. The overall improvement in weather brings more people to our beautiful countryside and increased land management activities make wildfire a higher risk.

“I urge everyone to think preventatively when in these remote, rural environments.

“Climate change has seen warmer, wetter winters and higher spring/summer temperatures ensuring conditions are more conducive than ever for wildfire.”