WATCH: Cannich wildfire prompts plea to public after nature reserve habitat suffers extensive damage
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A senior Highland fire officer has made a heartfelt plea to the public to take care against starting wildfires as the Scotland risk level rose to "very high."
Jamie Thrower, Group Commander Highland North, SFRS, was joined at the scene of a major wildfire at Cannich, Inverness-shire by Simon McLaughlin the site manager of the RSPB which has lost much important habitat to the flames.
Mr McLaughlan also urged people to act responsibly.
Meanwhile the two firefighters injured while fighting the wildfire near Cannich, Inverness-shire were released from hospital today, Wednesday.
They sustained injuries after an all-terrain vehicle they were travelling in was involved in an accident.
Both were transported to hospital via air ambulance helicopter – one to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and the other to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Around 30 firefighters from stations across the Highlands were still at the scene this evening fighting the fire, along with a water bombing helicopter and landowners Forestry Land Scotland and the RSPB.
They are fighting the wildfire over an 8km by 8km area although it is now being largely contained to hotspots.
The outbreak has been linked by some to wild camping in the area.
Christine Noble of Kerrow Farm, Cannich, said: "It was pretty alarming for a time and the whole area was engulfed in smoke. You couldn't see the valley.
"Luckily we took our cattle off the hill a week ago."
SFRS has been warning since last week that the risk of wildfire in parts of Scotland was "very high", amid warm, dry conditions.
SFRS, Police Scotland and NHS Highland have urged people who live nearby to keep doors and windows closed because of the smoke.
