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Emergency services in Scotland were engaged on Sunday in a concerted effort to control a wildfire that originated in Galloway, with the flames rapidly advancing northward into East Ayrshire, necessitating the evacuation of hikers and campers in the vicinity.
The wildfire began in the Newton Stewart area on Thursday and escalated over the weekend, exacerbated by a shift in wind direction that pushed it towards Loch Doon.
Authorities have advised residents in nearby locales to keep their windows and doors closed, and police have issued warnings to the public to steer clear of the area.
In response to the unfolding crisis, the Scottish government convened an emergency meeting on Sunday evening to enhance coordination efforts.
A post on X from the government read: “The Scottish government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) has been activated due to a wildfire affecting Galloway Forest Park. Justice Secretary Angela Constance is scheduled to chair the meeting this evening.”
By 10:20 PM on Sunday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported that firefighting crews had temporarily withdrawn from the affected area due to darkness, with plans to resume their operations at dawn on Monday.
Stewart Gibson, a team leader with Galloway Mountain Rescue, informed BBC Scotland that firefighting efforts had included the deployment of four helicopters to drop water over the flames, which at one point spanned several miles in width.
Earlier in the week, rising temperatures across the UK led to heightened wildfire warnings, with the SFRS indicating a “very high to extreme risk” due to the prevailing warm and dry conditions.
The SFRS has cautioned the public against outdoor fires and barbecues, emphasizing the importance of safely disposing of cigarettes and glass.
In the Highlands, efforts were underway on Sunday to combat another wildfire north of Ullapool. Road closures were implemented due to heavy smoke, which significantly impaired visibility.
Fire crews, numbering six, responded from a distance of nearly 70 miles, contending with a firewall that stretched over three miles and substantial smoke plumes in the area.
Simultaneously, in Northern Ireland, fire brigades addressed a blaze in County Antrim on Sunday afternoon. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were deployed to manage the situation near Conogher Road, Dervock.
Danny Ard, a group commander with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, stated that specialized equipment and jets had been utilized to battle the fire, which was brought under control by 8 PM on Sunday.
In a related incident, a significant wildfire reported on Saturday in Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains has been extinguished as of Sunday morning, resulting in the arrest of one individual by law enforcement officials.
Over 100 firefighters and 15 fire appliances were deployed to Sandbank Road, Hilltown, on Saturday to address a fire believed to have been set intentionally, as reported by fire authorities.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service noted that the blaze had a front of approximately two miles, affecting a large area of forestry near residential properties.
Source
www.theguardian.com