LETTER: Clashmore wildfire destroyed trees and fencing
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Anyone who burns ground is expected to adhere to the Muirburn Code and the Grazings Regulations.
Under GEAC (Good Environmental and Agricultural Condition), your agricultural subsidy payments are tied to observance of those laws, regulations and codes.
A grazings committee which does not strenuously object to someone flouting those rules is risking every shareholders’ income.
Muirburn requires a minimum of three properly equipped people to be in attendance. It also requires permission, in writing, from the grazings committee.
As a neighbour pointed out last week, the problems our townships are facing is not muirburn gone wrong. It involves one person setting light to a bit of ground, or gorse.
Between 11th and 13th February 2021 Ian MacKenzie lit a fire and, according to the court’s decision, failed to provide sufficient people or equipment to control that fire.
Thankfully there were a few people about who tackled the fire until the emergency services arrived.
The fire in Clashmore destroyed 2000 trees and deer fencing on a single croft. The replacement cost is £15,000, at last year’s prices.
The fire came within two metres of the agricultural shed on that croft and within five metres of the house.
Ian MacKenzie chose to go to trial instead of pleading guilty and hence incurred legal fees as well as fines.
According to the crowdfunder figures, he has now made more than enough to cover those costs.
Wildfire is not a victimless crime.
We often hear discussion of the impact on trees, plants, bugs and wildlife. It also has a human impact, for everyone living in the affected townships – and significant financial and emotional costs for all of them.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have a new leaflet available for rural households, about how to make your house as safe as possible. We recommend reading it https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/outdoors/wildfires/
Clashmore and Raffin Common Grazings Committee
