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Images show wildfire damage as new warning issued

Cawdor Forestry Ltd/Cawdor Estate A drone image of an area of fire-damaged forestry on a hillside. The ground has been burnt black.Cawdor Forestry Ltd/Cawdor Estate
Cawdor Estate said the land should recover in time

An extreme wildfire warning has been issued for the weekend as images reveal the extent of some of the damage caused by incidents late last month.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has issued the warning for a heightened risk of the fires for Friday until Monday.

Moorland and forestry managed by Cawdor Estate, near Nairn, were among areas where the fires broke out over several days from late June.

The Highland estate has carried out drone surveys of the damage.

Cawdor Forestry Ltd An image taken by a drone shows an area of burned moorland. Smoke rises from a corner of the affected land. The rest of the landscape is a patchwork of moor, forestry and farmland.Cawdor Forestry Ltd
Land on Cawdor Estate near Nairn was affected by wildfires

Firefighters assisted by gamekeepers and other volunteers tackled the incidents, which happened in the Highlands and neighbouring Moray.

Helicopters were also used to waterbomb flames, and extinguish "hotspots" in peatlands.

Cawdor Estates said: "It is such a relief that nobody was hurt in the effort to contain the fires and a credit to all those who fought in very testing conditions to keep themselves safe whilst doing their best to protect the landscape.

"The environmental damage is clear to see, but the land should recover in time with the right management."

A joint police and fire service investigation has been launched into the causes of the wildfires.

Police Scotland said incidents near Carrbridge, Grantown-on-Spey and Dava in the Highlands, and Upper Knockando in Moray were being investigated.

Cawdor Forestry Ltd/Cawdor Estate A moor with trees on it. Smoke drifts across the scene. The sky above is blue with fluffy white clouds. In the distance on a narrow road is a fire engine.Cawdor Forestry Ltd/Cawdor Estate
The estate has paid tribute to firefighters and volunteers who tackled the fires

Another wildfire broke out at Dava on Wednesday before it was later extinguished.

The latest wildfire warning covers central and eastern areas of Scotland on Friday.

It extends to all Scotland, except low-lying areas with green vegetation, from Saturday until Monday.

Group Commander Raymond King said: "We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

"Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage."