warnings have been issued after a recent spate of wildfires across the Highlands closed roads.

People have been urged to be vigilant after several fires in Caithness.

One fire closed the A99 road to John O'Groats to buses and lorries just north of Freswick. The fire in the Warth Hill area of Caithness was reported just before 3pm yesterday.

A heath fire at Killimster closed the B876 road which runs from Wick to Castletown in the north of Caithness.

The largest fire was at Cannisbay, a few miles west of John'O Groats in Caithness. It started just after 4.30pm on Sunday and grew in intensity, fanned by increasing winds. By late evening, the fire had spread to involve approximately 370 acres of whins and heather. By 8am yesterday, the fire had largely been extinguished.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a bothy fire in Lochailort between Fort William and Mallaig. The fire was extinguished just after 2.30am yesterday.

Billy Wilson, deputy assistant chief fire officer, said: "Many of our firefighters live and work in our communities and respond from their work or home to deliver fire and rescue services in the Highlands and Islands. Their dedication and commitment to doing so is to be commended."