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Wildfire warning over new controlled burning rules

Getty Images Patterns left in the heather from burning for Grouse on Tinto Hill near Biggar in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, UK. - stock photoGetty Images
Groups have warned that new rules on muirburning could lead to more wildfires. The practice can create patterns in the heather, seen here in the Southern Uplands.

New licensing rules for the controlled burning of heather and other moorland vegetation could lead to an increased risk of wildfires, a rural group has warned.

Scottish Land and Estates claimed the technical demands of a new muirburn licensing scheme will leave many land managers unable to obtain a licence in time.

The Scottish government said land owners have been given "adequate time" to prepare for the new regulation.

The warning comes in the wake of a spate of wildfires across Scotland last week, including on the Isle of Arran and in Cumbernauld.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued extreme wildfire warnings last week during a period of warm and dry weather.

One method of preventing wildfires often undertaken by land owners is muirburn.

While the main purpose is to encourage new heather growth for grouse and other animals to feed on, it also gets rid of excess vegetation which can fuel wildfires.

However, the practice also has the potential to damage peatlands, which play an important climate role in locking up carbon, and can have a negative impact on other wildlife.

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act, will introduce a more rigorous licensing scheme this September, with muirburn on peatland only permitted in limited circumstances.

BBC Weather Watchers - Pikman a large plume of smoke on a hillsideBBC Weather Watchers - Pikman
A wildfire on the Isle of Arran burned for four days last week

Ross Ewing from Scottish Land and Estates, said introducing the regulations was "absolutely possible" in the future but he said the current timescale and "technical requirements" could cause some land owners to stop the process all together.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "I think its almost inevitable, if muirburn is made so much harder, which under the current direction of travel is absolutely going to be the case, there will be more wildfire incidents because there will be less people carrying out muirburn which means the fuel load will be increased in a larger area.

"What we are saying to ministers is this is not going to be workable within the timescales they've set out and that they need to change their approach.

"If ministers make this too hard people will stop muirburning all together and with that your ability to combat wildfires become severely, severely curtailed."

The group, which opposed the legislation before it was passed in parliament, said its concerns were shared by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association.

The Scottish government said it recognised the positive aspects of muirburn - but said land managers had been given plenty of time to prepare for the new rules.

A spokesperson said: "The scheme will ensure muirburn is undertaken appropriately by trained individuals to minimise negative impacts on peatlands and other sensitive habitats.

"We recognise the importance of muirburn in creating firebreaks to help tackle wildfires and the new licensing scheme allows muirburn for the purpose of preventing wildfires.

"The Bill received Royal Assent in April last year and our implementation timescale has been designed to give practitioners adequate time to prepare for this licensing requirement ahead of the 2025/26 season."