Andrew Bowie demands answers from Scottish Government after Cairngorms wildfire
Andrew Bowie MP has called on the Scottish Government to explain why it remains unprepared for the growing threat of wildfires after a major blaze tore through the Cairngorms, warning that "nothing has changed" since Scotland's record-breaking Dava Moor fire last year.
The Shadow Scottish Secretary has written to SNP Rural Affairs Secretary Gillian Martin demanding answers over the Scottish Government's response to the incident, which saw firefighters spend days battling flames in challenging terrain and soaring temperatures, supported by local land managers and estate workers.
Mr Bowie praised the efforts of those on the front line but said ministers had failed to learn the lessons from previous wildfires, despite repeated warnings that the risk was increasing across rural Scotland.
The intervention comes just a year after the devastating Dava Moor wildfire, the largest ever recorded in Scotland, which came dangerously close to homes and businesses. The latest blaze in the Cairngorms has again highlighted the risks facing rural communities, visitor attractions and the natural environment during periods of prolonged dry weather.
In his letter, Mr Bowie raises concerns about whether Scotland's emergency services have the resources required to respond to major wildfire incidents. Reports have suggested helicopter support used during the Cairngorms fire cost Forestry and Land Scotland around £5,000 per hour, underlining the significant financial and operational pressures involved in tackling large-scale blazes.
He has asked the Rural Affairs Secretary whether she has visited the affected areas, what instructions she has given officials following the fire, and whether she will press Cabinet colleagues to ensure the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has the resources it needs to prepare for future incidents.
Andrew Bowie MP said:
"Firefighters and local land managers have done an outstanding job in extremely difficult conditions, and they deserve enormous credit for their efforts.
"But the growing threat of wildfires is not a new issue. Rural communities have been raising concerns for years and ministers should have been far better prepared.
"The conditions that allowed this fire to take hold were entirely predictable. It's clear the Scottish Government still wasn't ready for them and the response was unserious. Nothing has changed since Dava Moor a year ago.
"That is why I have written to Gillian Martin seeking answers about what she's doing to respond to the growing threat of wildfires in Scotland.
"We cannot keep lurching from one major fire to the next. Scotland needs a serious plan to deal with the reality that these incidents are becoming more frequent and more dangerous."
Mr Bowie said the Cairngorms fire should serve as a wake-up call for ministers and that the Scottish Government must now demonstrate it has a credible strategy to reduce wildfire risks, strengthen emergency response capabilities and support those living and working in rural communities.
He argued that as climate conditions continue to increase the likelihood of major wildfires, Scotland can no longer afford a reactive approach. Instead, he said ministers must ensure emergency services have the resources they need, work closely with land managers to improve resilience, and put in place a long-term plan that better protects communities, businesses and Scotland's countryside from future incidents.
