Roads closed as crews battle wildfire for third day in the Highlands

Roads in the Highlands remain closed as crews continue to battle a wildfire near a village for the third day.

Police confirmed multiple roads were closed as crews battled two separate wildfires in the Carrbridge, Dava, Grantown-on-Spey and Knockando areas.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the blaze near the village of Carrbridge at around 11.22am on Saturday.

Wildfire in a pocket of land between Grantown-on-Spey and Carrbridge. STV News

Three fire appliances remained at the scene near Lochindorb on Monday morning, where the fire was more than three-and-a-half miles long.

Firefighters were called to another blaze at a wind farm on Sunday evening near Knockando in Moray.

Paul’s Hill Windfarm consists of 28 turbines southwest of Elgin. The towers are 58.5m tall and carry turbines with a roto diameter of 82m.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Knockando in Moray on Sunday. Jasper Image

Crews continued to battle the blaze overnight, and the latest update from SFRS on Monday morning said the blaze “continued to grow” due to strong winds.

Two appliances remain at the scene.

Police Scotland said the following roads were closed on Monday:

The B9007 is closed from the junction at Duthil to Ferness.
The A939 is closed from Grantown-on-Spey to Ferness and the A940 is closed at Dava.
The B9102 is closed from Grantown-on-Spey to Upper Knockando and Dallas.
The snowgates at Carrbridge are closed.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance at several wildfire incidents from Carrbridge in Highland to Dallas, outside Forres in Moray.

A significant number of resources and special resources have been mobilised throughout the area.

Nearby residents have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed as the SFRS said that black smoke was spreading into residential areas.

Area Commander Michael Humphreys is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Wildfire Lead. He said: “We are currently in attendance at a number of wildfires across a wide ranging area, from Carrbridge in Highland to Dallas in Forres.

“Due to strong winds, a significant plume of smoke is spreading into nearby residential areas. If you can see the smoke, please make sure your windows and doors are closed.

“I would ask that the public be mindful of the real risk of wildfire, and don’t light fires, stoves or BBQs. Leaving litter behind, or dropping cigarettes hugely increases the risk of wildfires.

“I would like to thank all of our firefighters who have attended incidents throughout the area across the weekend and into today.”

Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, also commented on the wildfires, adding: “The wildfires across Moray and neighbouring Highland areas just now are a stark reminder of the sheer power of fire. My sincerest thanks go to the emergency services involved in the ongoing significant response operation, as well as the gamekeepers, landowners and farmers who have rallied to give their strength too.

“Residents across Moray are reminded to keep windows and doors closed where smoke is affecting air quality. I’d also make a plea to drivers to follow road closure notices and not ignore them. These closures are in place for your safety as well as the emergency service personnel fighting hard to contain and control the impact on our landscape and communities.

“Council staff are working in the background to prepare for any potential disruption to services and communities, as they do in any similar situation, but are not expecting to stand up this response at the moment. The forecast for the winds to drop and rain to come in this evening is welcome and I hope it gives the emergency services some respite from the challenging conditions.”