FLS' Ongoing Glenmore effort moves to new phase
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has moved to the next phase of its Glenmore wildfire response by removing the hundreds of trees felled and bulldozed over to make over 6km of firebreak.
Concentrating on the ski road and the Ryvoan trail first, the team is removing trees using specialist tree shears and forestry harvesting machinery both to make the areas physically safer and more accessible and to remove the potential fuel load and reduce any future fire risk
Helicopter water bombing of the remaining hotspots across the fire site continues to steadily reduce the risk of a flare-up so monitoring with thermal imaging drones will be ongoing for the foreseeable future.
Alex Macleod, FLS’ North Region Manager, said;
“FLS’ initial imperative was to secure the helicopters for water bombing but creating the fire breaks was an equally urgent priority.
“Immediate action was required and it was necessary to fell the trees without the planned care and due attention and diligence that is our usual practice. Many trees were just bulldozed to get them out of the way as quickly as possible.
“As well as being potentially unstable and presenting a physical risk those trees might act as a fuel load so we are getting them cut and moved as quickly as we can.
“We’re also carefully assessing the still standing trees. The fire will have affected ground stability in some places and some trees that no longer have a good root hold will also be removed; we have seen some trees fall over already.
“The ski road and Ryvoan trail are our priority but we have more of this to do elsewhere and it is likely to mean limited access to the area once the public begin to return.”
FLS plans to stack removed trees and timber at its Hayfield car park until the material can be collected and transported out of Glenmore.
Thermal imaging drones are being used to watch the hotspots and FLS personnel and vehicles continue to provide logistical support to SFRS’ crews in reaching less accessible areas.
Alex, added;
“Our Glenmore team, supplemented by colleagues from elsewhere in the Region, have worked with SFRS, CNPA, RSPB and all the volunteers from the community and from neighbouring estates.
“I would like to express FLS’ thanks for the effort, commitment and single-mindedness from all concerned.
“There is still a long way to go but that collective goodwill is going to be important in helping the affected communities and organisations in the longer-term recovery.”
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
- Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot