Baxter raises concerns over emergency helicopters as wildfire devastates Highlands

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Andrew Baxter has today raised concerns over claims from Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray that wildfires in the highlands are contained and pressed the minister over access to emergency service helicopters as a major wildfire continued to rage in the Highlands

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Neil Gray, whose ministerial responsibilities include the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said the fire was "currently contained". However on Friday, landowners have raised concerns with Mr Baxter that the fire is still spreading, with staff, volunteers and firefighters working to bulldoze new fire breaks to contain the spread.

Andrew Baxter said:

"I would like to thank firefighters, local volunteers and estate workers for their efforts.

"I fear Neil Gray was getting ahead of himself when he suggested that this fire was under control. On the ground it is requiring hard labour and careful management hour by hour to reduce the spread and there is still considerable risk to forestry.

"Wildfires are becoming an increasingly significant threat in the Highlands and across Scotland.

"One of the issues that has been raised with me is warnings by many land-based and rural businesses about the process for mobilising specialist helicopter resources as part of wildfire suppression efforts. At the moment it takes too long to get support to where it is needed.

"We risk seeing serious loss of life unless we have a robust fire plan with aircraft that can be called upon at short notice. Much of the terrain is often difficult for fire officers to get to with their appliances and other equipment.

"Both the Scottish and UK governments should look at having publicly available firefighting aircraft during the wildfire season, rather than relying on private operators.

"The Scottish Government need to provide an update on the work they are undertaking to address these concerns, and commit to working with landowners who experienced difficulties in mobilising helicopter assets to the various wildfires Scotland experienced.

"We are getting more and more extreme weather and we should be properly prepared."