Highland MSP Kate Forbes set to host major meeting on Highland wildfires with rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon
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Highland MSP Kate Forbes is to host a summit on wildfires in the Highlands tomorrow featuring the cabinet secretary for rural affairs Mairi Gougeon.
Around 30 delegates will gather in Kiltarlity – around 30 minutes’ drive from the scene of this year’s devastating Cannich wildfire.
The aim of the meeting is to discuss feedback from two recent wildfires at Cannich and Daviot, which broke out shortly afterwards last month, as well as ways to increase community preparation and public awareness for future incidents.
Alongside Ms Gougeon will be representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot and local gamekeepers who assisted with recent efforts.
Ms Forbes said: “First and foremost, I am hugely grateful for the tireless efforts of everyone who brought these blazes under control and also ensured there was no loss of life.
“Unfortunately, these wildfires are unlikely to be the last we see in the Highlands, and the aim of the summit is to learn any lessons from tackling these recent fires as well as consider what can be done to assist prevention in future.
“The recent incidents show that careless actions can have devastating results, so it is hugely important that we do everything we can to raise awareness of the dangers and also use all of the available tools at our disposal.”
She added: “I look forward to constructive discussions.”
