Wildfire – Scottish aerial resource crucial for battling major incidents

Press Release

Following the First Minister’s visit today to some of the areas worst hit by ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms, Ross Ewing, Director - Moorland and Strategic Projects for Scottish Land & Estates, commented:

"We welcome the First Minister’s visit to Loch Morlich today and are grateful for the time he took to see first-hand the impact of this devastating wildfire. We particularly appreciate his willingness to engage directly with firefighters, gamekeepers, land managers, agencies and local residents, whose efforts have been vital in responding to this major incident. 

“There must also be a serious discussion about Scotland’s preparedness for future wildfires. Scottish Land & Estates remains deeply concerned about the lack of a dedicated aerial firefighting capability. No helicopters were available on the first day of this fire, despite the fact that the battle against a wildfire is often won or lost in those crucial early hours. Similar challenges in accessing aerial assets were highlighted during the Carrbridge-Dava wildfire last year, demonstrating that this is not an isolated issue. 

“Scotland needs a dedicated aerial response capability, available at the time of need and operating under the command and control of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. As wildfire risk continues to grow, we must ensure our firefighters have the resources they need to tackle these incidents effectively. 

“We must also place greater emphasis on prevention. It is widely recognised that fuel load is the only aspect of fire behaviour that can be managed before a wildfire takes hold; weather and topography cannot be controlled. Strategic fuel-load management, including techniques such as muirburn and swiping, can help create more resilient landscapes and reduce the intensity and spread of wildfires. 

“The lessons from Glenmore and Strathnethy are clear. Scotland needs both the operational capability to respond rapidly when wildfires occur and the practical land management tools to reduce the risk before they start. We look forward to working constructively with government and partners to help deliver both."