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Firefighters extinguish mile-long blaze on Skye

Sam Bilner A large cloud of grey smoke emerges from dark hills in Skye. It appears to be later in the day and the light is fading. Sam Bilner
Crews from Dunvegan, Portree and Kyle of Lochalsh were called to the blaze.

Firefighters have extinguished a mile-long wildfire on the Isle of Skye.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews were dispatched to the incident in the Glendale area at about 12:00 on Tuesday.

Four fire engines were at the scene at the height of the blaze, with crews from Dunvegan, Portree and Kyle of Lochalsh. The last appliance left the area at about 04:30.

The SFRS has been dealing with several other grass fires in the Highlands and west of Scotland, including one in the Morar area which led to a temporary railway line closure near Mallaig.

An "extreme" warning for wildfires has been extended in the southwest, east, central, and northern areas of the country until Thursday.

People are urged to avoid lighting outdoor fires as the warm and dry weather continues.

Sam Bilner A fire in the distance on a dark hill. It is night and the orange fire reflects up on the grey cloud of smoke coming from the fire.Sam Bilner
Four fire engines were at the scene at the height of the blaze

Firefighters were called to about 90 outdoor fires last weekend including large fires in the Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway, and Inverpolly Forest in the Highlands.

A huge smoke haze from a wildfire in Inverclyde prompted ships on the River Clyde to sound their foghorns on Monday.

Fumes from the blaze near Inverkip drifted over Greenock, with social media reports saying ships issued warning blasts due to low visibility.

Deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour, from SFRS, said: "As the warm and dry weather continues, so too does the risk of wildfire.

"We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame."