Wildfire summit to look at preparing for the challenge of further fires
Around 30 delegates will gather in Kiltarlity to discuss feedback from recent wildfires in Cannich and Daviot
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has called a Highland wildfire summit for Wednesday (July 19th) where she will be joined by Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon.
In June, a wildfire in Cannich, near Inverness, burned for almost two weeks and another in nearby Daviot was also reported. Conditions are often exacerbated by longer spells of excessively dry, hot weather.
The summit is aimed at increasing preparedness for another wildfire as well as methods for prevention.
Speaking ahead of the meeting - to include representatives from Scottish Fire and Rescue and environmental bodies - Ms Forbes said: "First and foremost, I am hugely grateful for the tireless efforts of everyone who brought these blazes under control and also ensured there was no loss of life.
"Unfortunately these wildfires are unlikely to be the last we see in the Highlands and the aim of the summit is to learn any lessons from tackling these recent fires as well as consider what can be done to assist prevention in future.
"The recent incidents show that careless actions can have devastating results, so it is hugely important that we do everything we can to raise awareness of the dangers and also use all of the available tools at our disposal. I look forward to constructive discussions."
Rural Affairs Secretary Ms Gougeon will also be in attendance at the meeting alongside representatives of NatureScot, local gamekeepers and Forestry and Land Scotland.