Wildfire bill could be sent to Holyrood

Firefighters continue to battle blazes across the Highlands

THE new Scottish Government could be asked to help meet the “quite considerable” bill for massive firefighting operations across the Highlands.

Hundreds of firefighters — most of them part-time, retained personnel — have been involved in tackling dozens of wild fires while others have been called in to ensure adequate standby cover.

In the six days leading up to Wednesday, the region’s fire service was particularly stretched as it attended 146 incidents, including 60 wild fires, and mobilised crews from 75 stations including Inverness, Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus. Although the cost is not yet known, it is expected to amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Prime minister David Cameron this week promised central government funds will be made available towards additional firefighting costs in England.

Councillor Richard Durham, convener of the Highlands and Islands Fire Board, has indicated a similar request may be put to the Scottish Government.

“The reality is we run a retained fire service,” Councillor Durham said. “The stations will submit the hours the firefighters have worked. If there is a huge amount, there will be a considerable cost to go with it but that will not become clear for some time.

“The basic ethos is we will do everything we can to put out the fires and the cost will be a consequence of so doing.”

He anticipates, however, there will be an impact on the revenue budget.

“Obviously, if it puts us in very difficult financial waters, the board would consider a request to the Scottish Government but it is not an immediate thing.

“Our immediate priority is to get the fires under control and to remove the threat to life and property.”

Councillor Durham praised the firefighters’ endeavours. “I would like to commend the efforts of all the men and women who provide these services in these communities,” he said.

“When these wild fires broke out, they worked endlessly long hours in tough situations.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged last week’s fire near Loch Gorm in the hills above Drumnadrochit came within 65 metres of a Site of Special Scientific Interest at Balnagrantach.

Covering 107 hectares, it is important for a range of rare animals and plants including Slavonioan grebes, a population of the nationally-scarce downy emerald dragonfly, Cordulia aenea, and club sedge, Carex buxbaumii.

Tim Dawson, South Highland area officer with Scottish Natural Heritage, has been to survey the area. “It was quite a close shave,” he said. “We are quite relieved.”

He acknowledged, however, the fire could have impacted on wildlife, including ground-nesting birds such as grouse and waders, in the area although it would be difficult to quantify.

“We are always concerned about the damage from fire at this time of year because it is a sensitive time for all the birds which are breeding,” Mr Dawson said. “The message is people need to take great care when they are in the countryside.”

* See Friday's paper for a behind the scenes look at the fire service’s control centre, where this week's firefighting operations were planned.