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BBC Scotland News reporters Steven McKenzie and Eilidh Davies have reported that the recent wildfires that ravaged moorland at Carrbridge and Dava in the Highlands are considered the largest ever seen in Scotland by landowners. Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) estimates that the fires, which occurred in late June and early July, affected a total of 29,225 acres (11,827 hectares) – an area nearly 30 times the size of Lanarkshire’s Strathclyde Park. The fires required the assistance of at least 101 workers from over 30 rural businesses to support the efforts of dozens of firefighters in tackling the blazes.
A fire that was discovered at Carrbridge on Friday 20 June continued to reignite multiple times over an 11-day period before being completely extinguished. Efforts by police and firefighters are still ongoing to investigate the wildfire that started on Dava Moor on Saturday 28 June. According to Ross Ewing, the director of moorland at SLE, the fires caused “catastrophic damage” to local wildlife, with grouse numbers likely being significantly impacted. Dava, a vast moorland used for grazing sheep and grouse shooting, is an essential habitat for rare and vulnerable ground-nesting birds.
Ewing expressed concern over the long-term impact these fires will have on already fragile populations of wildlife. He noted that the economic consequences of the fires would also be deeply felt, with grouse numbers possibly decreasing significantly and leading to canceled shoots and a decline in visitors. Ewing highlighted the vital role that rural workers played in combating the wildfires, emphasizing the importance of controlled fires like muirburns in managing vegetation that could otherwise fuel larger wildfires. New restrictions on muirburns are set to be implemented next year.
Scottish Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie recently visited the affected areas in the Highlands and commended the efforts of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and other groups for their dedication in battling the fires. Members of the association noted that while muirburns had been effective in controlling some fires, the lack of firebreaks and proper land management allowed the fires to spread uncontrollably through large areas. The loss of peatlands due to wildfires remains a critical concern, and wildlife such as hares, adders, and hen harriers are believed to have been significantly affected
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