Local politicians are calling for further action to be taken following the devastating wildfires that hit the area at the end of June.
MSP Douglas Ross has written to the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee Finlay Carson MSP to ask the committee to hold evidence sessions on the growing number of wildfires.
Douglas has suggested that the committee would hear from those individuals or groups affected, as well as the government bodies responsible for tackling any outbreaks.
Having recently met with Moray Estates which was one of the estates who suffered the most damage, Douglas believes there are lessons to be learnt about the responses to the recent wildfires and what consideration can be done to minimise the chances of wildfires occurring in the future.
Meanwhile Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson has put forward a motion ahead of the next full meeting of Moray Council on 27 August calling for a summit to be held with all stakeholders who were affected by recent wildfires to help bring forward a wildfire management plan for Moray.
The motion also calls on councillors to agree to work with the Park Authority to learn from work underway in the Cairngorms as well as writing to both the Scottish and UK Governments to get funding for preventative financial assistance akin to other issues like flooding and coastal erosion.
The calls have also been backed by fellow Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle, who is also the party’s candidate for Moray in next year’s Scottish Parliament election. He visited affected areas to see the damage caused for himself, while he also criticised SNP minister Jim Fairlie for “being in hiding” and taking weeks to visit affected sites.
The MSPs and the council leader believe wildfires are becoming an ever-increasing issue for areas like Moray and it is crucial that the issues are debated in Parliament and the council on a cross-party basis to ensure the right measures are taken to protect communities from being damaged beyond repair.
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said: “The recent wildfires in Moray and across the Highlands were absolutely devastating for those affected and understandably have made many local people worried about what is going to happen in the future.
“I believe that this issue deserves greater attention which is why I am keen to see the Parliament’s rural affairs committee make the time to discuss it before next year’s election.
“I think it is important for MSPs to hear from those individuals and communities affected as well as scrutinising the response from government bodies responsible and ensuring lessons are learnt from how the most recent wildfires were dealt with.
“I hope that my colleague Finlay Carson will be able to find time in the committee’s busy schedule to fit in a discussion on this topic, which is becoming increasingly important for the people I represent.”
Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson added: “The effects of the huge wildfires at the end of June were felt right across Moray and it would be irresponsible not to act as political leaders in terms of what we can do going forward.
“I have brought a motion forward to the next full meeting of the council because I want to show local people that their council are committed to working together with all those affected to learn lessons and hopefully minimise the damage in the future.
“A summit would help bring everyone together to discuss what happened while I am also keen for the council to secure funding from both of our governments in the same way communities get help after flooding or other extreme events.
“I hope that councillors will come together and back the motion to show communities that we are on their side.”
Press release issued by Douglas Ross MSP