Fire crews tackling wildfire near Inverness

Firefighters are tackling a wildfire which broke out south of Inverness.

Six fire engines were sent to the village of Daviot in the Highlands after the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has told people nearby to stay indoors and to close all windows and doors to prevent smoke inhalation.

Evacuated residents have been told not to return yet.

A spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.45pm on Saturday 10 June to reports of a fire in the open at Daviot, south of Inverness. Operations control initially mobilised one fire appliance to the scene, increasing to six appliances and specialist resources.

“As of Sunday 11 June, three appliances and specialist resources remain on scene to make the area safe. No casualties have been reported.”

It is understood that hailstones and torrential rain in Inverness are helping firefighters tackle the blaze.

The service has extended a very high wildfire warning to 12 June as a result of a lack of rain, hot weather and little wind, which it said was the “perfect combination” for wildfires.

People are urged not to light fires in the countryside, to carefully dispose of cigarettes and to avoid leaving glass bottles strewn about, which can focus the sun’s rays and cause smouldering.

People in Inverness reported smelling smoke during the night on social media.

The blaze is about 30 miles (48km) from Cannich – the site of another recent wildfire, thought to be the largest recorded in the UK.

It comes on the hottest day of the year for Scotland, after 27.6°C was recorded in Auchincruive, Ayrshire.

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Mike Ruff