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Pulling together in wake of wildfires 

A green signpost for the Dava Way stands alongside a burned hillside with pine trees in the background - the result of a wildfire north of the National Park in June 2025.
An update from Park Authority Convener Sandy Bremner and Chief Executive Grant Moir on collective efforts to tackle wildfires in the National Park going forward.

We want to start by paying tribute to everyone who helped to fight the wildfires to the north of the National Park. Gamekeepers, estate staff, farmers and many others worked tirelessly with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to get the wildfires under control. There was also a great community effort, with many donations coming into the Park Authority HQ for distribution to those at the fires. The fires will have a massive impact on several estate and farming businesses and the putting out of the fires is just a first step in recovery.  

The wildfires are a reminder to all of us that the impacts of a changing climate are not off in the future but are here now. We are getting more flood events, more drought events and more wildfires. We have to prepare and adapt to this changing climate.  

There are many lessons to be learned for the future on the back of these wildfires, but action is already underway. 

The Integrated Wildfire Management Plan was approved by the Board on the 27 June. Following extensive engagement with estates and others across the National Park there are a lot of actions to take forward, but it provides a good basis for future work across public and private organisations to both limit ignition and mitigate impacts. 

The Board approved the fire management byelaw for the National Park following extensive engagement with residents and visitors. That is now with Scottish Ministers and if approved will ban open fires and barbecues in the countryside within the National Park from 1 April to 30 September each year.  

The Park Authority has funded equipment and training for wildfire management through the Climate Adaptation Fund, some of which was used in tackling the wildfire this past week. Announcements on this year’s recipients will be made later this month.  

There are more rangers than ever patrolling the National Park, extinguishing campfires and making sure that visitors and residents out in the National Park enjoy the countryside responsibly. In addition, Police Scotland have begun patrols which will continue throughout the summer months. It is incumbent on us all to think about the consequences of our actions and there is no reason for anyone to be lighting fires in the countryside as alternatives are available.     

Chaired by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Wildfire Forum includes members from across the public and private sectors. We are working together to respond effectively to wildfires and mitigate their impacts on the landscape and reduce wildfire risk. 

This week the forum issued an update following the fires, which you can read here

No doubt there are more things to think about and learn after this wildfire from long term planning to operational logistics and communications.  

Adapting to the impacts of a changing climate, from flooding to drought and wildfire, will be a big element of the work we do as a Park Authority over the coming years, and it will no doubt be high on the agenda as we look at developing the next iteration of the Park Plan over the coming 18 months. 

No organisation or individual can tackle the issue of wildfire alone. The community spirit shown in the past few weeks shows a clear way forward – we need to work together to reduce risk and be prepared for the future. 

Extreme wildfire risk until Monday 14 July
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