Fire crews in the Highlands are battling the third significant wildfire in the region in recent days after flames took hold in woodland near Fort William.
Emergency services are understood to have first been called to Camisky Woods in Torlundy, around three miles north-west of the Highland town, on Monday June 12 following reports of fire caused by lightning strikes. However, the smouldering remains of the fire are believed to have reignited earlier on Wednesday amid extremely dry and hot conditions.
A helicopter has been deployed to dump water on the flames from above while ground crews work to extinguish the flames with hoses. Local police and fire chiefs have warned the public to take care while efforts are made to dampen down the flames for a second time in as many days.
In a statement, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently attending a forest fire at the Camisky Woods in the Torlundy area of Fort William. It is recommended that anyone who lives or is travelling through the affected area should keep their windows and doors closed to prevent smoke inhalation."
Police Scotland's Highland division added: "Emergency services are in attendance at a forest fire in Camisky Woods in the Torlundy area of Fort William. Due to the volume of smoke in the area, officers are advising anyone who lives in or is travelling through the affected area to keep their windows and doors closed."
Dramatic images shared on social media showed flames reaching high into the sky as the fire took hold. Sharing an image of the fire at Torlundy, Twitter account @upland_ecology said: "This from 1845 pm tonight, looks like 20+ [metre] flame length and challenging conditions...good that winds are very light at present."
An SFRS spokesperson told the Record: "We are still in attendance at a fire at Camisky Woods in Torlundy after receiving a call at 6.03pm on Wednesday June 14. We have a helicopter waterbombing the area and one appliance still in attendance."
The Torlundy blaze comes after two other huge fires in the Highlands. Last week, crews tackled a significant wildfire believed to be over a mile long in Daviot, five miles south-east of Inverness.
Fire officers were also deployed to a major incident at Cannich at the end of May. It is believed to be one of the largest wildfires to have ever taken hold in the UK, covering more than 30 miles.
Elsewhere, firefighters have been called to blazes in the Campsie Fells near Glasgow and, earlier on Wednesday, to the Donmouth Nature Reserve near Aberdeen, following reports of fires breaking out. "Extreme" wildfire warnings were in effect until last weekend across much of Scotland.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
