Does Scotland have the 'game changer' helicopters it needs to fight wildfires?
Summary
A wildfire in Scotland’s Cairngorms has been burning for seven days, with helicopters used to drop water on hard-to-reach areas. Firefighters and other teams have worked on the ground, but questions remain about whether Scotland has enough specialist helicopters to respond quickly to such fires.Key Facts
- The Cairngorms wildfire started last Wednesday near Ryvoan Bothy and has lasted a week.
- Two specialist helicopters have been used for waterbombing areas that are difficult to reach.
- Over 100 firefighters, plus gamekeepers, estate workers, and volunteers, have helped fight the fire.
- The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) does not own firefighting helicopters and must rely on private companies.
- Helicopter use depends on approval from the fire incident commander and agreement on costs with landowners or public agencies.
- Some locals feel the fire might have been controlled sooner if helicopters had been called earlier.
- The decision to use helicopters is made by multiple agencies, including Forestry and Land Scotland and NatureScot.
- Helicopter pilots bring valuable experience and input during firefighting operations.
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