NEARLY five square miles of forestry and moorland are believed to be destroyed by a wildfire on the Isle of Skye near a windfarm.
The blaze is believed to have caused through welding incident.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the blaze at 10:55.
The blaze has affected heath land and forestry plantations near the Edinbane windfarm at Struan.
Wild fire on Skye between Dunvegan and Edinbane. Big credit to emergency services who’ve been battling all day. #Skye #wildfire pic.twitter.com/9bQe6652W8
— An Airigh (@AnAirigh) April 24, 2019
Mike Colliar, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service station manager, covering the Isle of Skye and Raasay, warned people to take care when in the countryside in dry conditions.
He said in a social media post: "Large Wildfire on Skye today caused by small piece of metal from welding. Nearly five square miles of forestry and moorland destroyed. Wildfires can travel at incredible speed when fanned by the wind."
A spokesman said: "Operations Control mobilised six fire engines to the Struan area of the island.
"Firefighters remain on the scene, working to extinguish the fire."
Isle of Skye has a fire :( pic.twitter.com/8M5N12LORQ
— Stephen (@StephenStull) April 24, 2019
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