That the Parliament recognises the reported actions of gamekeepers, shepherds and firefighters in averting a major wildfire incident in Strathdearn on 8 April 2023; understands that a fire started and engulfed rewilded land with a large fuel load comprised of heather and trees; commends the actions of Calum Kippen, a local gamekeeper and muirburn training instructor, for raising the alarm, calling the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and mobilising local gamekeepers to the scene; commends the actions of a local shepherd for containing the fire, with only a leaf blower, until help arrived; praises the quick thinking and professionalism of firefighters and gamekeepers in cutting a fire break and "back burning" towards the wildfire; notes that the wildfire was extinguished in under three hours, and understands that the actions of all involved prevented the wildfire proceeding to land managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, as well as a local wind farm.
Supported by:
Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Neil Bibby, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, James Dornan, Sharon Dowey, Annabelle Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Pam Gosal, Rachael Hamilton, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Brian Whittle