PICTURES: Potentially "catastrophic" wild fire in Cantray and Croy area averted after local farmer and neighbours intervene with Nairn firefighters extinguishing burning embers from makeshift woodland fire-pit
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A potentially major woodland fire near Croy has been averted following the intervention of a local farmer and nearby residents.
A camp fire had been left unattended in an area of forest between Cantray and Croy and was found by local farmer Ian Wilson who alerted near neighbours Lizzie and Alex Rose.
“It was located down a track towards Heathfield,” said Lizzie, who called Nairn firefighters to extinguish burning embers.
“People should just not be setting fires in any forest at any time. The weather when this happened was particularly dry and although there had been some rain, ground conditions remain dry and it easily could have spread into the forest.”
The secretary for Croy and Culloden Moor Community Council added: “At this time it could have been catastrophic. There has been plenty publicity already on the TV and elsewhere about wild fires being caused by the present drought conditions and there’s no excuse.”
The incident happened at around noon on August 14.
Lizzie said: “It was just lucky the fire was spotted by the local farmer who was out feeding his cattle. He contacted us immediately and we were trying to extinguish it with cannisters of water but we quickly realised it needed the professional attention of the fire brigade.
“A team from Nairn arrived very promptly and soon had it completely extinguished.
“The fire was surrounded by stones and large logs obviously to contain it. But the logs had caught fire. There was a very professionally built shelter made of branches and twigs next to it. That was tinder dry and could have gone up at any time.
“We can only think whoever built the shelter and set the fire thought they had put it out. But when we got there the logs were on fire.
“We didn’t find any evidence of alcohol but there were ginger beer and pop bottles lying around so it was possibly older kids.
“There was gorse nearby and if that had ignited the whole forest could have gone up. Fortunately it was one of these days where we had no wind to carry the flames. It could have been catastrophic otherwise.
“But people need to be more responsible.”
A fire service spokesman said one appliance was sent to the scene near Kilravock Castle.
“Crews ensured the area was safe before leaving,” he added.
“The public are advised to exercise extreme caution outdoors – a small fire lit outside can get out of control and cause significant damage to our landscape, our wildlife and ultimately endanger life.”
