Wildfire sparked by flare from Joint Warrior military exercise

A WILDFIRE that burned some two hectares of grassland in Galloway was caused by a flare from the Joint Warrior military exercise, authorities said today.

The incident is said to have happened after an “accidental ignition” caused by a flare.

Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were faced with a “fast-moving” fire which was aided by strong winds.

They were helped by two RAF firefighting vehicles and eleven Army personnel.

It took some six hours to bring the fire under control, though no injuries were reported and no evacuation was needed.

The airfield blaze broke out at the same time as firefighters were dealing with another wildfire nearby.

The blaze had been burning for almost 24 hours in the Mochrum area until it was brought under control at about 5pm on Monday.

At one point, it is said to have stretched for about four miles.

A fire service spokesman said: “This was a very challenging situation, compounded by the fact that the Fire and Rescue Service were dealing with another large wildfire in Wigtownshire at the same time.

“Fire service and military personnel worked well together to bring this blaze under control.”

Exercise Joint Warrior will see more than 1,600 troops training on the west coast of Scotland over the next two weeks.

The exercise is held twice a year to prepare forces from the UK, US, Denmark, Norway, France, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands for events and active service.

It is aimed at creating a task group capable of being deployed to worldwide incidents such as last year’s war in Libya, as well as testing the ability of the armed forces to cope with events such as a terrorist attack on the Olympics.

Yesterday, soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade took part in an exercise to practise their airborne skills.

The exercise scenario saw West Freugh airfield become part of an area disputed by two fictional nations called Pastonia and Dragonia.

Under the scenario, troops landed in the conflict zone after Nato sent a rapid intervention force to create the conditions for a UN peacekeeping force to take control.

Troops completed a combination of parachute, air assault and tactical air landings.