Highland wildfire rages for second day as power outages affect homes
Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in the Highlands for a second consecutive day. The fire, which started near the village of Daviot south of Inverness at around 2:45pm on Saturday, has left some local homes and businesses without power. Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed to prevent smoke inhalation.
The ongoing wildfire is approximately 30 miles (48km) from Cannich, the site of another recent wildfire believed to be the largest recorded in the UK. Fire crews worked through the night to control the blaze and protect properties. On Sunday afternoon, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported that crews were still at the scene, dampening hot spots and using helicopter water bombing.
A Daviot resident, whose property was just feet away from the fire, told BBC Scotland that he decided to take his family away from the area for the night. He praised the firefighters, saying that if they had arrived five minutes later, the outcome could have been different.
Anita Gibson, owner of the nearby Auchnahillin Holiday Park, said that power was still out on Sunday, but there was no damage to property. She expressed gratitude to the emergency services for their efforts. The SFRS has extended its alert for a “very high” risk of wildfire until Monday.
Duncan Macpherson, a Highland councillor for Inverness South, described the situation as an “almighty challenge” for firefighters. He explained that the fire at Daviot stretches over a mile long between Craggie and Moy, with the wind blowing the flames further across the landscape.
Dr Gail Millin-Chalabi, a scientist, told BBC One’s The Sunday Show that wildfires have become more common in recent years due to hotter, drier, and longer summers in the UK. She noted that most of the UK’s wildfires are caused by accidental or deliberate ignition and emphasized the need to increase awareness of wildfire risks in peatland, moorland, and heathlands.
The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms across much of the Highlands and west coast on Sunday, lasting from 12:00 to 9:00pm. Forecasters predict lightning strikes, strong winds, and torrential rain in some areas.
