Dozens of firefighters were battling two large wildfires in separate parts of the Highlands last night.
The first fire broke out on a heather-clad moor at Hill of Clayton, near Keiss, shortly before 1.40pm yesterday afternoon, and another began about four hours later in Glen Nevis, Lochaber.
No one had to be evacuated from their homes but the fire in Keiss came within a half mile of Stroupster windfarm and a quarter mile of the nearest residential property.
At its height, the wildfire near Keiss covered a front of more than a mile, and five fire appliances – two from Wick and one each from Thurso, Dunbeath and Lybster – were called out to battle the flames.
A fire service spokeswoman said a total of 22 firefighters used hose reel jets and fire beaters to dampen down the flames.
At about 7pm last night, a photographer at the scene described it as a “well-burning fire” which was being assisted by a “strong wind”.
He added that most of the flames were burning about 1ft above the heather but some were rising up to 10-12ft, and thick black smoke could be seen from miles around.
On Saturday afternoon, a wildfire started in the same area of moorland and lasted for several hours until crews brought it under control.
It was re-ignited yesterday as a result of dry and windy, tinderbox conditions which cause wildfires.
In Glen Nevis, five appliances – two from Fort William and one each from Spean Bridge, Kinlochleven and Fort Augustus – were called out at 5.35pm to deal with a wildfire which had spread to about 40 acres in size by 8pm.
A total of 28 firefighters used hose reel jets and fire beaters to try and dampen the flames, which crews were battling in an area of moorland close to the Steall Falls car park.
