A huge blaze engulfed woodlands in Highland Perthshire, burning some of the region’s finest forest.
Tinder dry pine needles and undergrowth burst into flames on the Tay Forest Park, with waves of fire enveloping surrounding trees.
Local reports described the forest blaze, which took hold in the wider Faskally Woods and Craigower area, as “huge” and reported that it was in danger of spreading to surrounding woodland.
A large number of emergency service units were deployed to the area, behind Pitlochry Golf Club, with a huge presence from Scottish Fire and Rescue.
Helicopters had to be drafted in to douse the flames by drawing water from Loch Faskally as the fire raged for hours.
Miles of woodland and hillside were engulfed in thick smoke, which billowed up above the woodland and was visible for miles around.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it had been called to the area of Faskally Woods around 1.50pm on Thursday.
Two crews were initially sent following reports of “a fire in the wood” but once on scene, senior officers swiftly called for back-up.
A spokeswoman said it had been immediately escalated to a “level two incident” and within a short time six crews were working at the scene, as well as a water carrier and the aerial support.
We've spotted a helicopter filling up with water from Loch Faskally, to help with controlling a fire on the hillside. pic.twitter.com/kO2LJzfXtR
— PitlochryDamVC (@PitlochryDamVC) May 4, 2017
Road closures were put in place by Police Scotland to protect the public as the crews battled to contain the blaze.
Locals said they believed the fire had resulted from an innocent picnic, with the smallest spark enough to ignite the dry needles and trees following days of fine weather.
One eye witness said: “The fire was huge and it will have done so much damage. It is such a shame.
“We could see helicopters filling up with water from Loch Faskally and dropping the water on the fire.
“Even when they had the fire nearest to Faskally under control they were still struggling to prevent it from spreading further north.”
As the fire raged, locals captured
stunning images showing smoke
billowing up from the trees, engulfing the woodlands and much of the
surrounding landscape.
Meanwhile, emergency services were battling to extinguish the flames and prevent them from spreading to more of Perthshire’s most prized woodlands.
A full investigation into the
circumstances of the fire is now likely to take place.
