Burning moorland to prepare for recreational grouse shooting has been banned in Scotland.
Emergency services in the UK warned landowners to cease the practice last week.
Two days before, firefighters across West Yorkshire tackled what the fire service called a “significant moorland blaze” at Deer Hill Reservoir in Marsden as a result of what was supposed to be a controlled burn on a grouse moor.
It took 20 fire engines and 100 firefighters to bring the fire under control, prompting the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services chief Nick Smith to “urge landowners to stop controlled burning with immediate effect”.
Appeals for the cessation of burning heather on grouse moors by RSPB Scotland and landowners are being ignored. We have received multiple reports of such fires in recent days. It is time for permanent muirburn regulation! pic.twitter.com/blcs0MM1TS
— RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) March 31, 2020
North of the border, the RSPB yesterday joined the calls to stop the burning of heather on grouse moors.
Muirburn season, the burning of the heather and stubble on a moor, ends this year on April 15.
Scotland will face an extreme risk of wildfire this week.
Until Monday, parts of the country face a heightened threat.
In particular, eastern and south west Scotland are at risk.
Help us protect you by following the steps below.
📸EFFIS pic.twitter.com/oWnqz1LRED
— Scottish Fire and Rescue Service #StayAtHome (@fire_scot) April 2, 2020
Now, Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman has successfully included a legislative ban in emergency coronavirus laws passed in the Scottish Parliament.
With the muirburn season brought to an end with immediate effect, farmers and crofters will not legally be able to set fire to heather or grassland.
Mr Wightman said: “I’m pleased MSPs passed this sensible measure.
“It is absurd that, while the country is told to stay at home, reckless landowners proceeded to inflict environmental damage on their land in the expectation that a privileged few will still be able to go and shoot birds for a hobby.
“There cannot be business as usual for the lairds and lockdown for the rest of us.
“They must now cease damaging the hills and putting further pressure on our emergency services.”
Tim Baynes, director of moorland at Scottish Land and Estates had said: ‘We are urging land managers not to undertake any more muirburn for the rest of this season.
“Even though the risk of the fire getting out of control is very small, we want to be absolutely 100% certain that there is no additional call on the fire or ambulance service and the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Four crews were sent to the scene, near Crovie Farm in Banff, after receiving reports that the surrounding gorse was alight.