| Cannich wildfire | |
|---|---|
A satellite image taken on 30 May showing the wildfire.
| |
| Date(s) | 27 May 2023 (2023-05-27) |
| Location | Cannich, Scottish Highlands, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°19′N 4°46′W / 57.31°N 4.76°W / 57.31; -4.76 |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 6 sq mi (16 km2; 1,600 ha) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2 |
| Map | |
  Location of the fire in the Scottish Highlands  Cannich wildfire (Scotland) Show map of Scotland | |
The Cannich wildfire was a wildfire burning in May-June 2023 in Cannich, a village in the Highland council area of Scotland about 26 mi (42 km) west of Inverness.[1] No one died, but two firefighters were injured and airlifted to hospital on 30 May when their vehicle overturned at the site;[2] they were both discharged the following day.[3]
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were alerted of a large fire at 12:46 p.m. on 28 May 2023.[4] On 31 May, a 12 mi (19 km) long plume of smoke from the fire was detected drifting towards Loch Ness from space by NASA.[5] At its height, nine appliances were tackling the fire, as well as a helicopter to water bomb the affected area. A 'very high' wildfire warning covering much of Scotland, which had been in place since 26 May, was extended to 5 June.[6]
The cause of the wildfire is unknown, but the SFRS had launched an investigation into its cause.[4] They also said it had burned through a 30 sq mi (78 km2) area of scrub and woodland, which would make it the largest wildfire in the UK's history.[7] This number was later revised by the fire service to 6 sq mi (16 km2; 1,600 ha).[8]
The fire caused lots of damage to the RSPB Corrimony nature reserve, destroying hundreds of native trees which were planted to regenerate habitats. The charity also said that many ground-nesting birds, including black grouse, had lost chicks or eggs because of the fire. Simon McLaughlin, who works at the reserve, said that fast-moving species such as spiders and lizards had survived, but others, including frogs, had been found dead. RSPB Scotland said it had still to fully assess the impact of the blaze on wildlife.[9]
Amidst soaring forecasted temperatures, another 'very high' wildfire warning was declared by the SFRS from 7 to 10 June. In the announcement on 7 June, the fire service also said that the Cannich wildfire was still ongoing.[10]
By 11 June, another wildfire had broken out 30 miles away near Daviot.[11][12] On 15 June a wildfire broke out in Dalshangan Forest near Carsphairn.[13]
