'Extreme' wild fire risk sparks calls to Ross-shire residents and visitors to take care

AN ‘extreme’ wild fire risk has sparked warnings to walkers, campers and residents in the Ross-shire area.

Countryside-goers have been urged to take extra care not to start fires after a recent dry spell left conditions tinder-dry.

“The fire risk is extreme in the Highlands right now,” said High Life Highland’s countryside rangers in Ross-shire.

“Please do not light fires. Think of people’s homes, birds’ nests, butterflies emerging, trees that have been growing for decades or just emerging as saplings.”

The warning follows a number of wildfires in the Highlands in recent days.

Earlier this week, a wildfire in Sutherland sparked the evacuation of a number of homes around Durness, after flames began lapping close to the main road. Eleven properties were temporarily evacuated before the all-clear.

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