Cannich Wildfire
Events
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were alerted of a large fire at 12:46 p.m. on 28 May 2023. On 31 May, a 12 mi (19 km) long plume of smoke from the fire was detected drifting towards Loch Ness from space by NASA. At its height, nine appliances were tackling the fire, as well as a helicopter to water bomb the affected area. A 'very high' wildfire warning covering much of Scotland, which had been in place since 26 May, was extended to 5 June.
The cause of the wildfire is unknown, but the SFRS had launched an investigation into its cause. They also said it had burned through a 30 sq mi (78 km) area of scrub and woodland, which would make it the largest wildfire in the UK's history. This number was later revised by the fire service to 6 sq mi (16 km; 1,600 ha).
The fire caused lots of damage to the RSPB Corrimony nature reserve, destroying hundreds of native trees which were planted to regenerate habitats. The charity also said that many ground-nesting birds, including black grouse, had lost chicks or eggs because of the fire. Simon McLaughlin, who works at the reserve, said that fast-moving species such as spiders and lizards had survived, but others, including frogs, had been found dead. RSPB Scotland said it had still to fully assess the impact of the blaze on wildlife.
Amidst soaring forecasted temperatures, another 'very high' wildfire warning was declared by the SFRS from 7 to 10 June. In the announcement on 7 June, the fire service also said that the Cannich wildfire was still ongoing.
Other wildfires
By 11 June, another wildfire had broken out 30 miles away near Daviot. On 15 June a wildfire broke out in Dalshangan Forest near Carsphairn.
Aftermath
The fire, which left the landscape blackened with ash, destroyed around 50% of the Corrimony nature reserve as well as large areas of land owned by Forestry and Land Scotland. Simon McLaughlin, who is the nature reserve's site manager, spoke at the time of his concern at the lack of chicks in the habitat, which would usually be merging from their nests. The RSPB put together an emergency appeal to raise funds they could use to support the area's recovery, which raised over £200,000. In October 2023, RSPB Scotland said that their nature reserve was starting to recover from the fire and McLaughlin estimated that in 5-6 years time it will have recovered fully.
Almost a year on from the blaze, the RSPB said that the impact of restoration efforts could be seen and McLaughlin said that "the green shoots of recovery are already starting to show". The funds raised by the appeal were put towards replanting trees, rebuilding deer fencing and better preparing the nature reserve for future fires. Barratt Homes and conservation charity Trees for Life also helped with restoration work at the reserve.
References
- ^ Davidson, John (25 June 2023). "Call for public education campaign on fire dangers after Cannich and Daviot blazes". Inverness Courier. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "Two firefighters injured in crash at Cannich wildfire". BBC News. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ Ho, Vivian (31 May 2023). "Firefighters tackle Highlands wildfire that may become UK's largest ever". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Wildfire warning extended across Scotland as fire crews enter fourth day at large-scale Highland fire". Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ Mitchell, Jenness (31 May 2023). "Smoke from massive wildfire near Cannich in the Scottish Highlands visible from space". Sky News. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ Dewar, Caitlyn (31 May 2023). "'Very high' grade wildfire warning extended as firefighters tackle blaze". STV News. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Cannich wildfire could be largest recorded in UK". BBC News. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ Cromar, Chris (2 June 2023). "Twice the size of Elgin, more than 2,000 football pitches: Just how big is the Cannich wildfire?". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Cannich wildfire causes extensive damage to Corrimony nature reserve". BBC News. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Outdoor safety important as 'very high' wildfire warning continues for Scotland". Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Wildfire takes hold near caravan park at Daviot in Highlands". BBC News. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "PICTURES: People asked to stay indoors due to wildfire near Inverness". Northern Times. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Crews battle Galloway forest blaze as wildfire risk 'extreme'". BBC News. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Carmichael, Josh (25 May 2024). "Nature finding a way to recover from Scotland's largest wildfire after RSPB efforts". The Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Signs of life amid scars of huge Highland wildfire". BBC News. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "In pictures: Wildfire-hit Corrimony Nature Reserve a year on". BBC News. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.