Samuel LindsayA forest ranger has been battling “apocalyptic” scenes as a wildfire continues to rage across the Isle of Bute.
A wildfire has been burning across the Isle of Bute for five days, with emergency services first being called to reports of a grass fire off the A844 on Bute on Tuesday.
On Saturday, police said it was made aware of a wildfire at the Rhubodach Loop, just off the A886 at around 11.40am.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it had assessed the scene and found no threat to life or property.
Samuel LindsaySamuel Lindsay, ranger and ecologist for Bute Community Forest, is on his own doing what he can to the keep borders of the fire in check.
Mr Lindsay, who has been trying to put out flames with a beater, said the fire had gotten “wildly out of control” but seems to be easing off.
“It started on the west side of the island, and it’s got wildly out of control. It’s burned over a square mile of heathland, and probably more than that now,” he said.
Samuel Lindsay“It’s now at the front, trying to reach the community forest, we’ve had the fire crews out and they’ve done a phenomenal job but there’s only so far they can go.”
He added that the wildfires have been “apocalyptic” for wildlife in the area.
“It’s hard to fully comprehend it until you’re in one, the fear that the animals must feel,” he said.
“It’s heartbreaking to think of the amount of voles, mice, lizards, frogs, insects, everything, that’s just been incinerated by this.”
An “extreme” wildfire warning remains in place across Scotland until Saturday, April 12.
Police Scotland urged members of the public have been urged to avoid the area and stay away from the footpaths until future notice.
SFRS urged the public to exercise caution if out and about in rural areas during the Easter holidays and avoid lighting outdoor fires.
A spokesperson for the SFRS said: “We did attend earlier, we are happy there is no threat to life or property.
“There was no action required from ourselves… the crews are on the Isle of Bute.”
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