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Fire service issues prosecution warning over Highland fires Fire service issues prosecution warning over Highland fires
(about 13 hours later)
The fire service has issued a request to land owners and land managers to stop controlled burning as crews continue to fight six rural blazes. The fire service has urged land owners and land managers to stop controlled burning after almost 200 wildfires in the Highlands over the past week.
It said conditions are "clearly unsuitable" for burning. Landowners who fail to heed the advice could face prosecution.
The fire service has issued a list of 17 criminal offences associated with setting fires of this kind. It comes as one large-scale wildfire is still burning at Achmore, near Stromeferry in Wester Ross.
Four fire crews have been there overnight trying to hold back the flames - which were at one point threatening to engulf properties.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has warned that conditions are "clearly unsuitable" for controlled burning, which is used to clear areas of land.
Legal muir burning is being carried out at the moment by hill farmers and landowners.
Fires are deliberately set to burn off long grasses and heather to encourage new grazing for sheep and grouse.
The fire service has issued a list of 17 potential criminal offences associated with setting fires of this kind.
It includes leaving a fire unattended, being unable to control a fire or having not made provision for its proper control.It includes leaving a fire unattended, being unable to control a fire or having not made provision for its proper control.
The fire service has issued a reminder that these laws determining when, where and how fires may be set, could result in prosecution if broken. The service has issued a reminder that these laws determining when, where and how fires may be set, could result in prosecution if broken.
Crews continue to tackle large fires in six Highland sites with 21 appliances in use as well as two helicopters. 'Consolidate resources'
More water has been dropped from the air onto a wild fire in the west Highlands as crews continue to battle the blaze. Group manager Fraser Nickson said: "The weather doesn't appear to be getting any wetter for the next few days and we would request that land owners and land managers stop all controlled burning immediately because we feel that the current conditions are unsuitable for muir burning.
The water was dropped by a helicopter over a major outbreak in Kishorn, which is still burning out of control. "We are very stretched at the moment, it would assist us in getting on top of these incidents and ensuring that the fire and rescue service can try and consolidate our resources and give us a bit of respite from the wildfires."
A blaze at Achmore near Stromeferry is also still alight, while another fire has broken out near Elgol on Skye. On Tuesday evening crews were dealing with large fires in six Highland sites with 21 appliances in use as well as two helicopters.
Retained firefighters More water was dropped from the air onto a wildfire at Kishorn in the west Highlands.
The fire and rescue service say a heath fire that destroyed 100 hectares of young trees near Gairloch is now out. In the past week in the Highlands and Islands, crews have been called out to deal with dozens of fires.
In the past week in the Highlands and Islands, crews have been called out to deal with 175 fires. Retained part-time firefighters have been called in to help fire crews tackle the blazes.
Retained part time firefighters have been called in to help fire crews tackle the blazes.
An unseasonably dry March has contributed to wildfires spreading, despite the cold weather.An unseasonably dry March has contributed to wildfires spreading, despite the cold weather.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "Operational crews continue to work tirelessly under arduous conditions to bring these wildfires under control and ensure the safety of the local communities.
"This is testament to the commitment and professionalism of all staff of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the Highland and Island areas, as well as ongoing support from landowners and members of the local communities."