A DEDICATED emergency fund to support communities responding to wildfires and provide urgent relief for businesses should be established by the Scottish Government, the Greens have said.
Green MSP Ariane Burgess made the call after visiting Nethy Bridge and the Abernethy Forest to meet with firefighters and volunteers involved in the response to the Cairngorms wildfire that has been burning for a fortnight.
It has been reported the fire could take months to fully extinguish because it has become so deep-seated with a huge number of hotspots still active.
Residents of Nethy Bridge were evacuated on Friday night and told they could return home on Sunday.
There has been a significant community response with locals raising tens of thousands of pounds to provide food, drinks and supplies for firefighters, volunteers and others working on the frontline.
But Burgess warned that communities should not have to rely on emergency crowdfunding during major incidents and has called for a permanent fund that can be activated quickly to cover catering, supplies, respite facilities and other essential local costs.
She said: “Visiting Nethy Bridge, I saw the very best of the Highlands and community spirit when firefighters, volunteers and residents have worked around the clock, while the whole community has pulled together to support them.
“The amount raised by local people to provide food, drinks and essential supplies is an incredible demonstration of generosity and solidarity, but communities facing a disaster of this scale should not have to pass around a collection bucket to meet the basic costs.
“Wildfires of this scale are not going away. Our changing climate is making extreme conditions more frequent, and government support must become planned, permanent and ready to deploy, not improvised after the flames have already spread.
“The Scottish Government should establish a permanent community wildfire support fund that can be released immediately when serious incidents occur so that local volunteers can concentrate on helping their neighbours and supporting those on the frontline, rather than worrying about whether enough money can be raised to help emergency services get by.”
Burgess has also called for targeted financial support for local businesses who have had to endure an increase in cancelled holidays with some premises forced to close because of the fire and associated restrictions.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray has said the Scottish Government would be “reviewing” its response to wildfires and First Minister John Swinney said the government and emergency services will continue to treat the blaze with the utmost seriousness until the last flames are out.
Burgess said: "Ministers must work together with the Highland Council, VisitScotland and key organisations in the Cairngorms on an emergency relief package for affected businesses, alongside a swift recovery campaign showing visitors which communities and attractions remain safely open.”
The fire is estimated to have affected an area of around 25 sq km since it was first reported near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, on Wednesday, July 15.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said that improved weather conditions and a targeted effort to tackle the wildfire in key areas has resulted in a reduction in visible flames, but warned that smouldering areas and burning spots in the ground remain.
Around 70 firefighters remain on the scene with nine fire appliances, specialist wildfire resources and Wildfire Tactical Advisors.
SFRS has said that a significant presence will remain in the area for some time to tackle the “complex and fluid incident”.
The UK Government has offered military support to tackle the wildfire including Chinook helicopters for logistical and heavy-lift capacity and support from UK stand-by battalions, but Swinney has since said the offer was not necessary.
The First Minister said the Scottish Government had requested aerial support to drop water on the fire, but was told that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) did not have such equipment.
