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Big ass fire in our area currently that not getting quite the national news coverage you'd expect.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93ky3j3g17o
A slight wind switch this morning and it heading our way. Still about 3 miles away and it's got to jump a river but..... geeez. 3 miles isn't that far when the bloody thing is 30 miles long and about 4 wide. Twitchy bum time - work proving surprisingly tricky to focus on so apologies for the keep my mind off it posts!
Due to rain big in 3 hours....can't come soon enough.
Devastation to wildlife and landscape is going to be very sad.
And all set off by an idiot with a campfire 🙁
Fingers crossed for you; hopefully the wind will change direction and the rain comes sooner than expected.
Always a bit exciting.... I've had them a bit too close to hand climbing. Once turned up to climb somewhere and found it still smouldering at the bottom of the hill.
These were natural phenomena...and wildlife does recover. No oudoors fire ban in place where you are?
A family member in the area has spent the last couple of weeks battling fires on the estates surrounding where he lives. This one, with its seat as a campfire, a suspected arson, and of all things, one caused during a training exercise. The levels of criminal stupidity are off the scale. The costs are absolutely huge, and I join in hoping all ends well for the OP.
No outdoors fire ban in place where you are
There is a seasonal bylaw in the Cairngorms banning fires but not in the rest of the Highlands - just advice and warnings.
As I type there are 2500acres of countryside (woodland, moorland, rewilded and agricultural) on fire, or 100 square km if you are wired metric. I'm pretty close to the lump on the right but the lump on the left has advanced about 5 miles north in the last 12 hours.
On the Nasa Firms fire site, its the biggest single blob in the whole of Europe (don't look at Africa, its scary) - yet it only makes about the 6th story on the BBC Scotland site and doesn't feature at all on the UK wide news.
I've just spoken to a colleague in Forres - they have barely slept with smoke pouring through the house from this fire, triggering asthma and every neighbours smoke detector. Very worrying.
We had a go at someone in Burn O'Vat this weekend who was trying to spark up a disposable BBQ...he resisted at first but a few more of the camping neighbours joined in and offered the use of stove inside a van - which he had anyway... 🙄
Hope things are improving - I'm amazed you're able to do any work with that view. Fingers crossed.
We had a go at someone in Burn O'Vat this weekend who was trying to spark up a disposable BBQ
There's no end to the stupidity of some folk. During the previous round of wildfires and fire warnings there was still evidence of wild campfires around my local trails. Didn't ever see the folk responsible.
That looks very close. Luckily the weather forecast does look very helpful for you, rain between 4pm - 2am so hopefully that will deal with it.
July 2022 we were lucky and just had heat damage to the van. A few houses in the village were burnt out and had to be demolished. Flames were very close to setting the van on fire. We weren't allowed to get to the van to move it as it was considered to dangerous.
That family member has just sent a couple of videos. He’s at the firefront end of that big fire. There are employees from something like a dozen different estates all working flat out with the fire service.
Here’s the NASA snapshot of the current situation.
The high winds aren’t helping, and they’re not convinced the rain will help much. Several helicopters on scene dousing as best they can.
We spent a couple of weeks in BC and Alberta last summer. We were warned about wildfires several times and the wildfire prevention stuff was drilled into everyone, there was a complete fireban, no charcoal BBQs (even in your garden), no camp fires, no bonfires, nothing. Unfortunately dry-strike lightning was igniting stuff all over the place.
We ended up getting evacuated from Jasper due to the fire( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Jasper_wildfire ) , which is not an experience I'd like to repeat, especially when we were on a 1/4 tank of petrol and it would be touch and go that we would be able to find any down the road...
When this came through with accompanying phone alert whilst failing to get fuel it was squeeky bum time...
https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0e45bd0ef9814d5e9ec3f87900a4cfe9
We really really need to get better at the fire prevention stuff in this country. We seem to have the pervasive "it'll be fine" attitude which really doesn't do us any favours.
Right - that's us asked to withdraw as a precaution.
Bike, Cat, Wife - pick two 🙂
Best of luck, fingers crossed
No oudoors fire ban in place where you are?
Given the amount of entitled dickheads about, I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make, TBH.
@convert - I was thinking of you earlier. Do.you have somewhere you can evacuate to? You're welcome here but you'd have to leave the cat to burn as Mrs S is allergic to them 😂
There is a seasonal bylaw in the Cairngorms banning fires but not in the rest of the Highlands - just advice and warnings.
Seasonal bylaw isn't in force yet as it still needs Government approval. We're hoping it'll be active by next Spring. Unfortunately it needs policing and we know how ineffective that can be in remote areas. Neither does it restrict the actions of folks on their own land. One of the current fires was caused by a farmer letting his fire get out of control, despite being asked to extinguish it a couple of days ago.
I'm still not sure how the blaze nearer Cartridge started. Given the wind direction it's difficult to see how the Loch Allan site would have caused it.
The one near Carrbridge has been going on and off since 20th June. It was started during a training exercise.
Not clear to me you need a byelaw - reckless conduct is already an offence in Scotland.
Not clear to me you need a byelaw - reckless conduct is already an offence in Scotland.
I think you need to have it made explicit - "all responsible for lighting fires will be prosecuted for reckless conduct". The bit that matters is that you can post definitive notices that says its not a request or guidance, it's straight to prosecution (that will stick) regardless if you get away with with it and don't generate mayhem.
Thanks for the offer Colin but I'm safely ensconced by the sea. Took Cat and Wife - get me all grown up making mature decisions!
Do we really think no one should light a campfire? One of the groups I camp with always have a fire. But also take great care with them. turf removed ( to be replaced later) ring of stones to prevent spread and put out with a lot of water to ensure the ground around is well soaked and then turf replace. they return to the same sites and often the old fire places are invisible a year later
Is this getting to be a worse issue from climate change? Just in dry times should we refrain? Is this another case of the irresponsible spoiling it for the responsible?
I'm genuinely interested in opinions
Unfortunately the rules need to account for the stupidest/most reckless in society, so nobody should be lighting campfires in the wild.
Is this fire at risk of taking out the windfarms up there?
Is this getting to be a worse issue from climate change? Just in dry times should we refrain? Is this another case of the irresponsible spoiling it for the responsible?
I'd say it's one of those move at the pace of the slowest in society things. In perilous areas of very high risks, whilst you might be able to do it safely others who see you do it might not appreciate the measures you take that make it so and nause it up when they take your 'competent' fire as permission to have a go themselves. And then who gets to decide on competency? If it's something where you only are endangered - crack on and do yourself harm if your judgment of competency is misjudged or you are a natural risk taker. If the harm is done to others/the environment - I'm not convinced you get to be the judge.
No - I don't think there should be a blanket ban of fire at all times in all places - but I do think local authorities/ national parks etc should bring them in a lot more proactively when needed....and they then need to be well publicised....and those that should know better need to lead by example and it be culturally unacceptable to flaunt it. Like attempting to get in a Scandinavian swimming pool without a thorough shower 🙂
Is this getting to be a worse issue from climate change? Just in dry times should we refrain? Is this another case of the irresponsible spoiling it for the responsible?
Yes. Yes. And yes.
Bad in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire this year. Natural fires are one thing, human assisted, deliberately or accidentally, are a disaster.
And every firefighting resource forced to work up on a moor to deal with some entitled idiots lack of thought is one less to deal with a house fire or car crash
Unfortunately the rules need to account for the stupidest/most reckless in society, so nobody should be lighting campfires in the wild.
Is this fire at risk of taking out the windfarms up there?
Yup - well, its reached and gone through at least two I know of - probably a third thinking about it. But in truth...I'm not convinced it'll have done a load of long term damage to them.
Do we really think no one should light a campfire?
Yes, at times of high risk it really is that simple. I don't think it matters how careful you are.
I'l take your no camp fires and raise you. I take no stove or matches when camping in vulnerable areas except when there's snow. I'd like a ban on fire starting means like a knife ban and that includes cigarettes in vulnerable areas.
Fingers crossed for you, Convert Locally ramblers were killed in a deliberately stared fire.
Quick photo as we left - the properly scary bit is actually just out of picture on the right. Had to find free accommodation for two slightly confused elderly German tourists from the holiday let with their mahoosive dog.
Sounds like its already calmed down - might get back tonight with luck
Best of luck to you. I've a colleague in Granton who is properly worried. Having been affected by wildfires in Melbourne back in 2009, I can empathise.
Yes, that'll do it. Happy days!
Didn't fancy having to get a new bike/cat/wife*
*Well, the cat is a keeper, the others - up for negotiation. Never say never.
The rain hasnt got to Nethy yet, its like the end of the world out there, silent, nobody out and a thick smoke hanging in the air thats turning a sickly yellow as the light starts to fade. I'm really looking forward to the rain now, clear the taste out of the air hopefully.
Edit; started as I typed that, not heavy tho
Wind seems to have changed direction and we finished our Monday evening run in thick smoke at Coylumbridge. The rain is on now. I hope it's a proper downpour
Yes, that'll do it. Happy days!
Didn't fancy having to get a new bike/cat/wife*
*Well, the cat is a keeper, the others - up for negotiation. Never say never.
Wanted to ask which one you'd left behind, but was waiting for things to be less tense for you.
I rarely say this, but I hope it pisses down all night for you.
One of the groups I camp with always have a fire.
Why? What utility does it serve?
Unfortunately, thanks to many outdoor companies, influencers and just "folk" there's now a widespread public perception that camping means having an open fire. Slowly, some of the companies are beginning to revise their marketing and I've had a couple make changes to promotional photos to remove campfires.
It's back to the principle of NOT thinking it'll be ok if I do this and thinking instead what if everyone did this?
Why? What utility does it serve?
Unfortunately, thanks to many outdoor companies, influencers and just "folk" there's now a widespread public perception that camping means having an open fire.
Some seem to consider it almost a human right.
Have been standing in my garden in Inverness trying to waft this heavy rain your way to try and help.
Agree about campfires being a bit fetishised. They're just something that is quite nice, but given their potential for destruction, probably not worth it most of the time.
Why? What utility does it serve?
NOne - its just nice to have and a part of this groups tradition for 30+ years
Its not about influencers or anything else - its a long standing tradition in general to do so and I have known of folk doing it well before influencers or marketing got involved way back to the 50s and before 🙂 I remember seeing a video of some famous scots mountaineers with a campfire way back when ( can't find it now) where they talked about how nice it was to have one. Am I just stuck in the past? Is this group?
t's back to the principle of NOT thinking it'll be ok if I do this and thinking instead what if everyone did this?
Is a very pertinent point and one I have used against van lifers.
Hmmm - food for thought. I am not in charge of this group and it will be a hard sell to stop them
ah yeah clearly if you get lucky you probably don’t get prosecuted for reckless endangerment, although it’s quite a broad offence soo if it’s clear to all sensible people that it would be massively stupid then you might. Realistically I’m not sure byelaws stop anyone or result in useful prosecutions.Not clear to me you need a byelaw - reckless conduct is already an offence in Scotland.
I think you need to have it made explicit - "all responsible for lighting fires will be prosecuted for reckless conduct". The bit that matters is that you can post definitive notices that says its not a request or guidance, it's straight to prosecution (that will stick) regardless if you get away with with it and don't generate mayhem.
we see what you’ve done…. If the worst happens you will get a new bike…Thanks for the offer Colin but I'm safely ensconced by the sea. Took Cat and Wife - get me all grown up making mature decisions!
Part of my work recently was to bring in Public Space Protection Orders for our heathland forests in Dorset and then for the whole of the New Forest. They make it an offence to light a fire, a disposable bbq or go equipped to do so in those areas.
even with this we’ve had a 3 hectare fire this weekend and issued a fine. Don’t get me wrong, in the past, generally in the winter months I’ve had responsible small campfires whilst working in broadleaved woodlands but well out of the way and in a place that is safe. I’ve also directly fought a lot of wildfires in south wales and dealt with our response to numerous wildfires in the south of England. This year is shaping up to be worse than 2022 which was a really bad year as we had a long dry hot summer back then, this year we’ve also had a long dry spring. That year I dealt with multiple wildfires in woodlands that were from what looked like small campfires perhaps from someone hiking or bikepacking that had been lit on weekend evenings and had been “extinguished” and left. There was no litter or mess from flycamping, whoever had the fires probably thought they were being responsible. The problem is though that the following day, the wind picks up, humidity goes down and the sun gets on those hotspots or ashes, the weather we are getting during these hot summers makes them flare up again. They often burn slowly across the woodland floor for a while before anyone notices as they don’t make much smoke and are often out of the way, you can often smell smoke but can’t find the origin until they flare up and produce a smoke column which is usually when they hit a batch of young dry vegetation and all hell breaks loose. Disposed of bbq coals have the same effect, as do disposable bbqs, they can stay hot for ages or burn into the ground.
The current van life trend isn’t helping, I lose count of how many I see with a campfire or a fire pit which will eventually get emptied into a bush or a bin. People have lost the ability to foresee what might happen. I see outdoor clothing brands with marketing materials saying they’ll plant a tree for every t shirt sold who are showing people clad in their gear having campfires in woodlands in the summer.
The real problem, notwithstanding the ecological impact and the visual impact as well as risk to people locally is the level of resources that wildfires take up. On one Sunday in 2022 Hants fire service had almost all their appliances out fighting wildfires with only a few units reserved at fire stations for structural fires and other emergencies. Some of these wildfires last for weeks in this dry, hot prolonged weather and take up vast amounts of resources.
Use your bbq at home, bring some sandwiches and do you really need a campfire when it’s 25 degrees still at ten o'clock at night!
We had a go at someone in Burn O'Vat this weekend who was trying to spark up a disposable BBQ...he resisted at first but a…
…bucket of water or two might have acted as an incentive.
There’s no point in trying to be polite to someone who, in all honesty, is being criminally negligent!🔥 🤬
Is this getting to be a worse issue from climate change? Just in dry times should we refrain? Is this another case of the irresponsible spoiling it for the responsible?
Yes. No exceptions under any circumstances, because the obvious result is “but they had a fire…”
Bloody hell tj, I thought you were smarter than that!
Hmmm - food for thought. I am not in charge of this group and it will be a hard sell to stop them
Well you have some pretty hard line opinions on other topics... Use that energy.
🙂