These pictures were taken at the height of the fire early yesterday evening. They show the area around Lochan na Crannog, which the fire had reached having started near the Old School House at Achosnich. The people staying there had to be evacuated while fireman battled to stop the flames jumping the Kilchoan-Portuairk road. They succeeded, but the BT lines were burnt through so Portuairk is without communications. At one point the fire was so bad that the Kilchoan Fire team had to be called off the hills.
The fire started about 3.00pm yesterday afternoon. By the early hours of this morning it had burnt all the hillside to the east of the Sonachan, and was working its way along the Kilchoan road and towards Achnaha, where crofters there were preparing to stop it doing damage to their property.
The fire, which was visible for miles around, is still burning. Crews from as far away as Forres have been called in; during the night crews attended from Acharacle, Strontian, Lochaline, Fort William and Kinlochleven to assist the Kilchoan crew, who finally stood down at 3.30 this morning.Many thanks to Stewart Pote for the pictures.
Map of the area is here.
We left on Saturday morning and can't believe what we are seeing, keep safe.
ReplyDeleteIts always good to take a moment like this to remember just how safe our Rescue Services keep us and how much they give, very thankful and extremely grateful. A huge THANK YOU and hope that all is now safe
ReplyDeleteWe could see the smoke and flames from our house in Tobermory around midnight. Hope no sheep and lambs caught up in it. Thankful Sonachan Hotel was spared.
ReplyDeleteI am sure a lot of people will be interested to know who or how the fire started.
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