Scottish Government to consider dedicated aerial service to tackle wildfires

The Scottish Government will consider calls for a dedicated air service to tackle wildfires as incidents become more common across the country.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been tackling a blaze near Aviemore since last week, using helicopters to “waterbomb” the flames.

First Minister John Swinney visited the Cairngorms on Tuesday to meet the firefighters.

It comes as a warning of a very high risk of wildfires has been extended to many parts of the country for the rest of the week.

“Obviously aerial support has been fundamental to trying to extinguish this fire, and we have to make it possible for that to be readily available in such circumstances,” Swinney told STV News.

“There is quite clearly an availability of equipment, for example, which makes it more plausible for fires in such circumstances to be brought under control. We have to be constantly addressing whether or not all of that equipment is of the right scale and nature.

First Minister John Swinney visited the Cairngorms on Tuesday to meet firefighters and community leaders. RSPB Scotland

“We’ve got to be addressing whether the skills are there to ensure that we can challenge and deal with fires in acutely difficult locations, which this represents.

“And all of these factors are part of the ongoing learning that’s got to be undertaken as a consequence of wildfires of the nature of the type that we’ve experienced here in Strathspey.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been tackling a blaze near Aviemore since last week RSPB Scotland

Ross Ewing, the director of moorland and strategic projects for Scottish Land and Estates, welcomed the First Minister’s visit, but called for a dedicated helicopter to help tackle wildfires.

“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,” he said.

“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.”