A large wildfire began at Cannich, near Inverness, on Sunday 28 May 2023 and remained ongoing on Wednesday 7 June, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said. More than 30 firefighters tackled the fire1.
The service issued a "very high" warning for an increased risk of wildfires across Scotland from Wednesday 7 June until Saturday 10 June1. It said many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage1.
Station Commander John Harvey of the SFRS said:
"Wild and grass fires can start by the careless disposal of cigarettes and barbecues or campfires left unattended."
He added that such fires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land, wildlife and threaten the welfare of nearby communities1. The service cautioned that even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides, and that many of these fires are preventable1.
The SFRS advises people to be aware of the risks and to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and asks the public to read its safety advice and enjoy the weather responsibly1. It said it works closely with land managers, communities and other safety partners to prevent these incidents1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fire location | Cannich, near Inverness1 |
| Fire started | Sunday 28 May 20231 |
| Status at 7 June 2023 | Ongoing1 |
| Firefighting resource | More than 30 firefighters1 |
| Warning level | "Very high" risk of wildfires across Scotland1 |
| Warning period | Wednesday 7 June to Saturday 10 June 20231 |
Why it matters for households
The warning covers the whole of Scotland for four days from 7 June, and the Cannich fire was still burning on the day it was issued1. The SFRS links wildfires to careless disposal of cigarettes and to barbecues or campfires left unattended, and says many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted, with significant environmental and economic damage1. Its advice to the public is to be aware of the risks, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and read its wildfire safety advice1. Households in or near affected areas can find background on dry conditions and wildfire risk in the guide to heatwaves and drought.
What happens next
The "very high" warning runs until Saturday 10 June 20231. No further update on the Cannich fire, including its extent or when it was brought under control, has been reported1.
