Culbin Forest fires are devastating wildlife on the Moray coast
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THE FOURTH major fire at Culbin Forest this year covered an area bigger than 28 football pitches.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were first alerted to reports of a forest fire near Cloddymoss in the Culbin at 12.53pm on Saturday, September 12, using four appliances to extinguish the blaze and leave by 12.05pm the next day.
However, a number returned on Monday, September 14 and Tuesday, September 15 after reports of a reignited fire.
A SFRS spokesman said: “The fire was well established and fast moving when we arrived. It wasn’t just in the canopy either - it was burning right through the vegetation at low level. It was very dry with high winds before the rain arrived overnight. The crews worked extremely hard under difficult conditions.”
Over the course of the weekend, the SFRS teams used jets, beaters, a water bowser and a helicopter with water bombing capability before taking turns to monitor the area.
A spokesman from Forres Fire Station confirmed the original fire was completely out by 3.30pm on Monday, September 13. In a separate incident nearby the next day, there was a controlled fire and no action was taken.
Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) east region manager, John Thomson, confirmed his team were on site offering logistical support to the SFRS crews’ “phenomenal efforts”.
He said: “This year there have been significant incidents, with this latest potentially being a follow on from the weekend before that. In some instances even though fires above ground have been dealt with and flames are no longer visible, a fire can continue to burn underground and can be reignited if fanned by strong winds.”
The SFRS are assessing the damage to 15 hectares.
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