Thousands of animals feared dead in 'biblical' Scottish wildfires
Young hares and grouse chicks among wildlife lost in Scotland's worst blazes
In late June and early July, unprecedented wildfires scorched more than 11,000 hectares across Carrbridge and Dava in northern Scotland, likely killing thousands of animals, according to Colin McClean of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Chicks of curlew and grouse were unable to flee the advancing flames, while leverets (young hares) probably perished by instinctively freezing in place.
McClean, who helped fight the fires, described their ferocity as unlike anything he had seen. Smoke drifted up to 64 km across the Moray Firth, tinting skies orange and prompting window closures and road shutdowns near the flames.
Sheep and other livestock also suffered, as thick smoke engulfed surrounding pastures.
Today, charred remnants offer a stark scene: small piles of bones on blackened earth bear witness to the wildlife lost.
Beyond hares, curlew, black grouse and red grouse chicks were also wiped out. Though grass is returning and heather is expected to recover, peat deposits centuries old were irrevocably burned in some areas.
Woodland devastation
On a nearby estate, woodlands manager Ben Clinch witnessed two fires merge like a biblical scene as the blaze jumped across roads, destroying around 200 hectares of Scots pine.
Surviving trees are expected to reseed the area naturally over time.
What causes wildfires?
Wildfires are defined as uncontrolled outdoor fires burning over 1,000 m², often fueled by dry vegetation and peaty soils. They can ignite accidentally from barbecues, discarded cigarettes or glass magnifying sunlight.
Scottish Land & Estates will administer a £10,000 grant from the CNPA to replace ATVs, tractors and diggers damaged fighting the Carrbridge and Dava fires.
Ross Ewing, SLE's director of moorland, praised the responders for risking their safety to control the uncontrolled and stressed the need for ready equipment as such wildfires become more common.
These unprecedented fires have left a devastating toll on Scotland's wildlife and landscapes.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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