Residents allowed home following wildfire
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Residents have been allowed back into their homes after being evacuated overnight following a wildfire at Aigas near Beauly.
Although the fire is now under control, firefighters were still at the scene this morning as a helicopter collected water from the nearby River Beauly and repeatedly waterbombed the blackened hillside to dampen down remaining hot spots.
Speaking at the scene, Graham Robertson, group manager of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, said up to 40 firefighters from eight different stations had been involved in tackling the blaze which broke out about 9pm.
"It has been very challenging incident due to the steep terrain and the fact that this fire was burning through the night," Mr Robertson said.
"The crews worked very hard and very professionally in difficult terrain."
David Leishman, also a group manager with the fire and rescue service, said that firefighters had worked with the police to evacuate four properties which were felt to be in potential danger. "We managed to protect the properties and keep the fire front away from them," he said.
About four square kilometres were affected. It is believed the fire started close to the A831 and then spread quickly up the steep hillside, which is covered with gorse and heather, to a plateau.
Part of the land, which contains a plantation, is owned by Forestry Commission Scotland while other affected areas are privately owned.
Fire units involved were from Inverness, Beauly, Drumnadrochit, Dingwall, Nairn, Fortrose, Foyers and Cromarty.
