Fire brigade remain on alert after wildfires break out in Highlands

• Highland wildfires hit Caithness, A99 and Killimster

All available firefighters in the Highlands were deployed to tackle a series of wildfires which flared on Sunday night and continued through Monday, into this morning.

A blaze at Cannisbay in Caithness, which had spread over a two mile area, was finally brought under control just before 9am, although regular monitoring is taking place on the land.

Winds fanned the flames and smoke, forcing police to close parts of the A99 Wick to John O’Groats road.

A total of 90 firefighters were called to deal with the blaze, which destroyed dozens of acres of heathland.

Meanwhile, another 20 were called to fight a second blaze on peatland at nearby Killimster, and one unit was still at the scene this morning dealing with hotspots.

Another fire at remote Morar in Lochaber was extinguished at 8.30pm on Monday, but had destroyed 40 acres of moorland.

Deputy assitant chief fire officer praised his staff, saying: “Many of our firefighters ar retained staff who live and work in their communities.

“Many of these firefighters had to do two stints and were at these incidents for many hours.

“Their dedication and commitment to these fires are to be commentded, particularly when the incidents are arduous and go on for many hours.”