Hikers evacuated while Scotland battles wildfires on two fronts

Hikers and campers have been evacuated from the path of wildfires threatening one of Scotland’s national parks.

Flames that started at Glentrool in Galloway have spread through the forest, 15 miles north to Loch Doon, famous for its castle ruins.

The fire started after temperatures reached 23°C on Friday, the hottest day of the year so far.

Rescue teams tracked down wild campers in the area and helped them to safety after spotting the ‘orange glow’ that evening.

Dry, sunny days that have followed have given firefighters little break from tackling the flames with helicopters dropping ‘water bombs’.

Group Commander Garry Douglas said: ‘During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly, and burn with high intensity.

‘At this time of year in early spring, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation across large areas of countryside. This essentially acts as a fuel for fire.’

Another wildfire rages 190 miles further north in the Highlands, where firefighters spent Sunday battling flames at Stac Pollaidh, a mountain used as a backdrop in Disney’s Star Wars: Ahsoka series.

‘There is heavy smoke’, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said. ‘Members of the public are urged to stay away.’

Most of Scotland remains at ‘very high’ or ‘extreme’ risk of wildfires until Monday, according to the fire service, which has issued three such warnings this year.

It responds to 170 wildfires each year, 80% of which are between March and May.

While last year saw less than a third of that number due to wet weather well into Spring, this year is proving warmer and drier.

Douglas said: ‘There are currently vast areas that are tinder-dry and vulnerable, which provides all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.

‘Human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors, especially over the coming days of predicted sunshine.

‘By following some simple but key advice, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire occurring.’

More than 100 firefighters tackled a wildfire suspected to have been started deliberately in Northern Ireland, where warnings were also in place. A man was arrested on Sunday.

A wildfire charred 126 acres of heathland at nature reserves in Poole, Dorset, on Wednesday. This too has been blamed on ‘human intervention’.

Dovestone Reservoir was also the scene of a wildfire in Greater Manchester on Sunday.

Grass and heather also caught fire in moorland near Dumbarton, west of Glasgow during the week.

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