'Stay away' warning remains at site of forest fire

Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in a large coastal forest in the north-east of Scotland.

Fire crews were first alerted to the blaze in Culbin Forest, near Forres in Moray, at 08:37 on Monday.

More than 25 firefighters had managed to reduce the blaze to hotspots, smaller areas that were still on fire. A helicopter has also been used to drop water on flames.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said more than 30 firefighters remained at the scene, and it has urged the public to stay away from the affected area.

Culbin Forest is an area of woods and farmland on the Moray Firth Coast between Nairn, in the Highlands, and Burghead, in Moray.

SFRS said the wildfire had covered an area of about 2,500m (8,202ft) by 2,500m.

A spokesperson said: "At its height, six fire appliances and specialist resources, including a helicopter which was dropping water on the affected area, were mobilised after the alarm was raised at 08:37 on Monday.

"As a precaution, the public is asked to avoid the area and those who live nearby are advised to close windows and doors due to the smoke in the vicinity."

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages about eight miles (13km) of Culbin Forest, and a network of paths through it.

A spokesperson urged the public not to set fires in the forest.

The incident has come during a long dry and warm spell of weather.

Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson told BBC Scotland News: "My heart goes out to all the fire personnel who are battling the blaze.

"It's causing some alarm to local residents.

"The council will be assisting in every which way it can."

Culbin is an area of native and commercial forestry.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages about eight miles (13km) of forest, and a network of paths.

The area was farmland until 1694 when a storm called the Great Sand Drift buried fields and houses under sand.