Wildfires are dangerous, destructive, and terrifying. We all know that. When one comes close to your home it all becomes much more real though. This has just happened with wildfires where I live, one coming just eight kilometres from our house. The fires raged for four days before being declared over. All the local roads were closed. There are many other isolated dwellings in the area.
The first inkling I had of a fire was driving home from Aviemore on a cloudy day. Approaching the house I noticed the towering clouds had a strange colour to them. Must be the sun, I thought. Later my partner said she could smell smoke. A search on social media showed reports of one or two or maybe three wildfires burning not far away.
Finding information was difficult. It was the weekend when local news tends to shut down. Initially our only source of news was social media, especially Facebook group Grantown Grapevine and page Highlands, Islands, Moray and Aberdeenshire Weather. This is where social media is really valuable. From a series of posts we learnt about the extent and whereabouts of the fires. Some info was confusing as no-one had a clear picture of what was happening but overall a general picture built up. Gradually more became known. A NASA satellite image was posted showing the location of the fires. One was certainly too close for comfort. The wind, thankfully, was blowing it away from us.
By the end of the second day traditional media was catching up and local newspapers, TV and radio were reporting the fires. Once the weekend was over national media joined in. There were also reports from Highland Council, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service about the state of the fires and the road closures.
On day 3 the wind changed and blew from the direction of the fires. Soon we could see and smell smoke in the fields outside. Not knowing exactly where the nearest fire was or how fast it was moving we discussed what we’d take with us if we had to evacuate. With rain forecast for the evening we checked the weather forecast constantly. We wanted that rain so much! Late in the evening it arrived and we relaxed, a little.
-All this time firefighters, estate workers, and volunteers
were fighting the fires, a huge effort for which we are very thankful. There
was a great community effort to support them too. The disaster brought everyone
together. With all the roads closed we decided the best thing we could do was stay
put and not risk getting in anybody’s way.
Thankfully no-one was hurt or killed and, as far as I know,
no property damaged or destroyed. The fires were on Dava Moor a large area of
moorland mostly used for grouse shooting and sheep with a few areas of
woodland to the north of the Cairngorms National Park. Few people live there. It could so easily have been much worse.
It’s bad for the wildlife of the area though, much of which will have perished. Any that survived will have to find new habitats as it will be a while before plant life returns.
The day after the emergency was declared over I went to see the aftermath. It was as shocking as I expected, huge areas of moorland burnt black, trees dead and scorched. Mile after mile of devastation. The smell of smoke still hung in the air. Across Lochindorb the ground still smouldered, trails of windblown white smoke rippling across the blackened earth. A helicopter was still at work, catching water from the loch to dump on the hot ground and dampen down the chance of the fire reviving. The ground is covered in peat. This can remain hot underground long after the last flames have gone and then burst out again. Ensuring it is thoroughly soaked is essential.
All the pictures with this piece were taken the day after the fires were declared over.
How the fires started isn’t yet known. The police and fire
service are carrying out an investigation. There’s much speculation online, of
course. As I have no information I’m staying out of this. I think it’s best to wait
for the official report. What is clear though is that climate change makes such
fires more likely, with more extreme weather, including long dry spells,
occurring more often. No single event can be put down to climate change but an
increase in them can. Sadly, that means that more fires like this are almost
certain to occur.
Climate change doesn’t directly cause fires of course, just makes them more likely. As there were no thunderstorms in the area these weren’t lightning caused fires. They were undoubtedly human caused.
Now there are many ways people can cause fires to start on bone dry vegetation including the sun shining through discarded glass, discarded still lit cigarette butts, lack of care with disposable barbecues (which should be banned), and, of course, abandoned and badly sited campfires. Great care needs to be taken with anything that could cause a fire.
Campfires have definitely been the cause of some destructive
fires in many areas, and their use seems to be on the increase. Certainly I’ve
found and dismantled more rings of rocks and tried to remove traces of fires
far more often in recent years. Rangers
report the same and there are many reports on social media of campfire
problems. Usually these have been in unsuitable places – on grass, under trees,
on peaty ground.
Badly sited campfires cause damage apart from the risk of starting a wildfire. Rings of stones pockmark grass and burnt earth takes years to recover. Too often branches are broken or hacked off living trees, showing a lack of knowledge as green wood doesn’t burn easily. Standing and fallen dead wood is needed ecologically too, especially in areas without many trees.
I don’t think there’s any need to have campfire in Britain.
If people do insist on one then it should be on a campsite that allows them, or
the builder should know when and how to make one that is no risk to the
surroundings and leaves no trace. If you don’t know how to do that don’t build
a campfire.
I also think that campfires should not be promoted on social
media, something that is unfortunately too common. I think doing so is irresponsible.
Even if the fire fulfils the above criteria those copying it may not have the
same skills or knowledge. Spreading the idea that campfires are an integral
part of camping is wrong. They’re not, at least not in Britain.
