In the wake of Scottish Wildfire Forum calculating that the three fires had spread to an area nearly 70 miles long, SGA members – who had fought the fires – demonstrated to group members what was done to stop the inferno reaching the town of Grantown-on-Spey.
They were making the case, based on the lessons, that new peat-depth based restrictions in the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill AND new rules against burning on steep slopes will make these fires much harder to control in future.
They showed members the muirburn mitigations which had enabled fire fighters to get in to tackle the blazes which are officially the largest seen on record in Scotland.
In the evening following the tour, it was learned that the fire had re-started from smouldering peat and was once again being attended to by fire service officials, who deserve immense credit.
Roads were once again closed as smoke wafted across the area.
Fire fighters demonstrated how a fire they were tending from the road jumped and lit the other side of the carriageway.
In some parts, there is no peat left, despite peatland protection supposedly being one of the primary motivations for new muirburn restrictions.
In attendance were Scottish Government civil servants, NatureScot officials, National Park reps, Police and others from the Code working group.
The SGA was disappointed that RSPB Scotland and Peatland Action could not attend the walk-round organised for the Group, of which they are part.
