Foresters' anger grows as public flouts wildfire warnings

Police are now investigating the near miss on the shores of Loch Rannoch, opposite the Kilvrecht campsite, that is believed to have been caused by a barbecue being kicked over. 

It is the latest in a series of incidents that have seen fires ravage Scotland's woodlands, and anger grow among foresters as the public continues to ignore safety warnings. Increasingly, officials say people have reacted aggressively when asked to put out fires, with one park ranger assaulted by two campers after doing just that. 

READ MORE: Scotland's top forestry boss warns visitors not to light campfires

In another close call last week, forestry bosses discovered that accelerant had been spread across an area of Fife's Tentsmuir, itself damaged during recent blazes, with the intention of starting a larger fire. 

Robin Lofthouse, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) area visitor services manager in Tayside, said: “It’s unbelievable that in spite of all the issues that Scotland has had in the past three weeks with fire, there are still some people who would do this.

“And it is really disheartening to know that last week we had an incidence of youths in Tentsmuir spreading and attempting to light some sort of accelerant in a bid, we presume, to start a bigger fire.

Foresters discovered accelerant spread across an area of Tenstmuir (Image: Supplied)

“The fire service, our staff and any number of other land managers are doing everything they can and then some to try and deal with fires and get the message about fire safety across to people.

“When we get things like this happening it just makes us all very, very angry. I would urge anyone with any knowledge of either incident to contact Police Scotland.”

The fire at Loch Rannoch, near but not in the Blackwoods of Rannoch, was discovered before it had a chance to catch and was dealt with by Perth & Kinross Council rangers who were assisted by two members of the public. Firefighters attended the site to ensure the fire was extinguished.

The Tentsmuir incident included burning a small area of a brash recovery site that could have started a significant fire. The FLS harvesting and visitors services teams have increased the frequency of their visits to this area and the contractor on site has scheduled works to cover a 24-hour period of operation.

Police Scotland has been passed the registration numbers of two vehicles seen leaving the scene.

An overturned BBQ is being blamed for the fire in Loch Rannoch (Image: Supplied)

Bailie Mike Williamson, depute convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee, said: “It’s extremely disappointing that some visitors have so little respect for the beautiful countryside we have in Perth and Kinross that an incident like this could happen.

“If it had not been for our rangers and two members of the public at Kilvrecht, this could have spread further and caused even greater damage.

“On behalf of the council, I’d like to extend my thanks to the two ladies who were on site before our rangers arrived and who were trying to put out the fire." 

Forestry Journal has contacted Police Scotland for comment on the incidents.