Fires

People living in and coming to the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland are becoming used to the unusual combination of brilliantly sunny days, cold nights, snow on the hills and fires across the lower land.  Yesterday, a huge fire was burning near Fort William - picture shows a view of it from Corran ferry.  It was reported as stretching across a 30 mile front from Corpach to Banavie, and was still burning this morning - there's a spectacular picture of it on the BBC website here.

Meanwhile, fires are still burning around Strontian.  This picture was taken yesterday evening from the road through Glen Tarbert, the other side of Strontian from us.  This isn't the original Strontian fire but a new one.  A fire has also been burning on Eilean Shona but that was put out, there was a moor fire at Arisaig, and the Mallaig team had to deal with a house fire at Knoydart.  As a result of all this activity, Kilchoan Fire & Rescue team has been out every day except Sunday: yesterday the crew was called out in the late afternoon to cover Mallaig.

This is a baptism of fire for the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which came into being yesterday, merging the seven existing brigades, including our Highlands & Islands Fire and Rescue Service, into one.  The new service has a website here.

Many thanks to Lizzie Miller for the pictures.