Forestry and Land Scotland is calling for visitors to exercise extreme caution as it works with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and neighbouring land owners to tackle a large wildfire near Cannich.

The exact cause of the fire, which started on Tuesday of last week, is not yet known but has been associated with wild camping.

SFRS appliances have been in attendance regularly over the past week, with seven vehicles on site on Monday afternoon (29 May) and helicopter assistance drafted in following further escalation. 

FLS staff have been on-site and liaising with SFRS since Thursday and as of today have mobilised a team to assist in damping down operations. Neighbouring landowners – including RSPB Scotland – have also been assisting RSFS with fire containment measures.

FLS North Region Manager, Alex MacLeod, said:

“Many people are enjoying being out in the countryside to enjoy the hot weather but the lack of rain recently has made much of the countryside tinder-box dry.

“Camping stoves are clearly recommended as being a better option than campfires but when the weather has been as hot as it has, and the ground is as dry as it is, neither are advisable. Regardless of how it started, this particular incident is a sobering reminder of how easily and quickly a wildfire can take hold and become a major problem.  

“Visitors need to be aware of their surroundings and their actions, take extra precautions and extreme care. Dealing with incidents like this places unnecessary pressure on the emergency services, puts people’s safety at risk, and destroys habitat – which causes extreme distress to the wildlife that was here.

“It’s difficult to say what the extent of the damage is but we know it affects a significant area.”

A similar incident took place in Tentsmuir Forest last Thursday, when a campfire started a wildfire that was attended by SFRS crews from three areas. Access issues required that helicopter assistance was needed on Friday morning to help douse the flames. SFRS continued to deal with smouldering hotspots on Friday evening and again on Saturday morning.

The call for extreme caution comes less than a month after FLS launched (9 May) its ‘Protect Scotland’s Wildlife’ campaign, that urges forest visitors to be more mindful of the negative impacts their activities could have on wildlife and the environment.

FLS’s ‘Protect Scotland’s Wildlife’ campaign aims to raise awareness of the unintended consequences - even harm - that can be caused to wildlife and the environment by people participating in activities in Scotland’s forests and wild places, without taking sufficient care.

A survey carried out prior to the launch found that just over 2 in 5 (41%) hadn’t considered the impact of lighting fires, or even that collecting deadwood off the forest floor for a small campfire, can disturb delicate environments and ecosystems.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Colin Edwards, FLS’ National Environment Manager, encouraged people to visit Scotland’s national forests and wild places, but asked people to be mindful of the potential for causing disturbance and harm when they’re out and about.

He said:

“The forests are not there just for us. The land that we manage is also home to many thousands of species, some of which are rare or threatened with extinction.

“That’s why we’re simply asking everyone to behave appropriately and cause minimal disturbance, especially in spring and early summer when there are many young animals and birds in the forest.

“None of us set out to deliberately cause harm but sometimes it can be thoughtless behaviour that can cause problems that then ripple out.

“Help us to protect what we’ve got, before it’s gone and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code - ‘leave no trace’, take responsibility and don't linger if wildlife is disturbed by your presence.”

Campfires are strongly discouraged at any time of year and in any location.

If camping stoves are used at any time, they should be situated away from tents and other camping gear and away from dry underbrush and grass. Ideally they should also sit on a level, non-flammable surface and be made as stable as possible using rocks (where possible) or other support.  

Notes to editors

1. 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.

2. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.