Latest news with #GeorgeAnderson
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Nesting birds wiped out as throwaway barbecue sparks huge blaze at Scots beauty spot
Woodland Trust Scotland said two hectare fire killed wildlife in the Trossachs FIRE FURY Nesting birds wiped out as throwaway barbecue sparks huge blaze at Scots beauty spot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WILDLIFE charity has warned of the dangers of accidental wildfires after a disposable barbecue caused a blaze around the size of 'two rugby pitches' in the Trossachs. Woodland Trust Scotland said the two hectare fire killed nesting birds and other wildlife in the Glen Finglas region of the national park on Saturday. 2 A disposable barbecue sparked the devastating fire at Glen Finglas. 2 An area as large as 'two rugby pitches' was destroyed as the fire took hold. The disposable grill was found with a charred burger still on top after the blaze took place. Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated, and at this time of year that means hundreds of nesting birds have been killed, along with lizards, slow worms, voles and other wildlife. 'If someone had taken a picnic instead of lighting a barbecue this could all have been avoided.' The blaze happened while a very high to extreme risk of wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was in place across north-east, central and southern Scotland. The Trust said that wildfires put people, wildlife and natural habitats at risk and urges visitors to woods, parks and green spaces to stay fire-free. Mr Anderson said: 'Barbecues and campfires can spark disaster, and if you are a smoker it is good to have a tin to bring your extinguished cigarettes home, too. 'You might think you have stubbed them out, but it is surprising how they can smoulder on. 'A massive 2018 fire at our English colleagues' site at Smithills weighs heavy on the minds of all our site staff. Huge wildfire erupts in Lanarkshire as flames visible for miles 'With another huge fire on Dartmoor, and now this incident at Glen Finglas over the weekend, we beg the public to take care.' He added: 'With climate change the conditions where fires can become uncontrollable will likely become more frequent, so as a society we absolutely must get on top of this issue. 'Even a single ember can ignite wildfires that rage out of control. This poses serious threats to people, communities, homes and properties. 'There are grave concerns if you live on the edge of towns. The threat is not restricted to wildlife and green spaces. 'Saturday's Glen Finglas fire was bad but it could have been much worse. Thanks to an alert member of the public the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were out fast and had it under control in a couple of hours. 'Our staff and volunteers turned out too. Many thanks to them and to the person who raised the alert. I look at the images from Dartmoor and shudder. That could have been us."
Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Times
Disposable barbecue starts deadly wildfire in the Trossachs
A wildlife charity has warned of the dangers of accidental wildfires after a disposable barbecue caused a fire the size of two rugby pitches in the Trossachs, killing hundreds of nesting birds. Woodland Trust Scotland said the fire killed nesting birds and other wildlife in the Glen Finglas region of the national park on Saturday. When it was put out firefighters found a disposable barbecue with a charred burger on top. Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. A barbecue and a charred burger were found after the fire was extinguished HAMISH THOMSON/PA George Anderson, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated,
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Massive fire 'size of two rugby pitches' in Trossachs blamed on disposable BBQ
"Gundreds of nesting birds have been killed, along with lizards, slow worms, voles and other wildlife." A disposable barbecue caused a fire around the size of 'two rugby pitches' in the Trossachs killing nesting birds and other wildlife. Dramatic photos show the devastation caused by the blaze covering two hectares in the Glen Finglas region of the national park on Saturday. The disposable grill was found with a charred burger still on top after the blaze took place. Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated, and at this time of year that means hundreds of nesting birds have been killed, along with lizards, slow worms, voles and other wildlife. 'If someone had taken a picnic instead of lighting a barbecue this could all have been avoided.' The blaze happened while a very high to extreme risk of wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was in place across north-east, central and southern Scotland. Last week, The SFRS and the Scottish Wildfire Forum urged the public to avoid lighting fires outdoors during the warning period. Earlier this month, a wildfire on Arran burned for five days and devastated part of Glen Rosa while elsewhere campers were rescued by helicopter from a blaze in Galloway Forest Park. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The Trust said that wildfires put people, wildlife and natural habitats at risk and urges visitors to woods, parks and green spaces to stay fire-free. Mr Anderson said: 'Barbecues and campfires can spark disaster, and if you are a smoker it is good to have a tin to bring your extinguished cigarettes home, too. 'You might think you have stubbed them out, but it is surprising how they can smoulder on. 'A massive 2018 fire at our English colleagues' site at Smithills weighs heavy on the minds of all our site staff. 'With another huge fire on Dartmoor, and now this incident at Glen Finglas over the weekend, we beg the public to take care.' He added: 'With climate change the conditions where fires can become uncontrollable will likely become more frequent, so as a society we absolutely must get on top of this issue. 'Even a single ember can ignite wildfires that rage out of control. This poses serious threats to people, communities, homes and properties. 'There are grave concerns if you live on the edge of towns. The threat is not restricted to wildlife and green spaces. 'Saturday's Glen Finglas fire was bad but it could have been much worse. Thanks to an alert member of the public the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were out fast and had it under control in a couple of hours. 'Our staff and volunteers turned out too. Many thanks to them and to the person who raised the alert. I look at the images from Dartmoor and shudder. That could have been us.'
STV News
06-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Disposable BBQ causes wildfire the size of ‘two rugby pitches'
A wildlife charity has warned of the dangers of accidental wildfires after a disposable barbecue caused a blaze around the size of 'two rugby pitches' in the Trossachs. Woodland Trust Scotland said the two hectare fire killed nesting birds and other wildlife in the Glen Finglas region of the national park on Saturday. The disposable grill was found with a charred burger still on top after the blaze took place. Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. Hamish Thomson/WTML The disposable BBQ responsible for causing the wildfire. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated, and at this time of year that means hundreds of nesting birds have been killed, along with lizards, slow worms, voles and other wildlife. 'If someone had taken a picnic instead of lighting a barbecue this could all have been avoided.' The blaze happened while a very high to extreme risk of wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was in place across north-east, central and southern Scotland. The Trust said that wildfires put people, wildlife and natural habitats at risk and urges visitors to woods, parks and green spaces to stay fire-free. Mr Anderson said: 'Barbecues and campfires can spark disaster, and if you are a smoker it is good to have a tin to bring your extinguished cigarettes home, too. 'You might think you have stubbed them out, but it is surprising how they can smoulder on. 'A massive 2018 fire at our English colleagues' site at Smithills weighs heavy on the minds of all our site staff. 'With another huge fire on Dartmoor, and now this incident at Glen Finglas over the weekend, we beg the public to take care.' He added: 'With climate change the conditions where fires can become uncontrollable will likely become more frequent, so as a society we absolutely must get on top of this issue. 'Even a single ember can ignite wildfires that rage out of control. This poses serious threats to people, communities, homes and properties. 'There are grave concerns if you live on the edge of towns. The threat is not restricted to wildlife and green spaces. 'Saturday's Glen Finglas fire was bad but it could have been much worse. Thanks to an alert member of the public the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were out fast and had it under control in a couple of hours. 'Our staff and volunteers turned out too. Many thanks to them and to the person who raised the alert. I look at the images from Dartmoor and shudder. That could have been us.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
06-05-2025
- General
- The National
Scottish wildfire warning issued after BBQ starts huge blaze
Woodland Trust Scotland said the two-hectare fire killed nesting birds and other wildlife in the Glen Finglas region of the national park on Saturday. The disposable grill was found with a charred burger still on top after the blaze took place. (Image: PA) Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. READ MORE: Major works to be carried out on three landmark bridges George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated, and at this time of year that means hundreds of nesting birds have been killed, along with lizards, slow worms, voles and other wildlife. 'If someone had taken a picnic instead of lighting a barbecue this could all have been avoided.' The blaze happened while a very high to extreme risk of wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was in place across north east, central and southern Scotland. The trust said that wildfires put people, wildlife and natural habitats at risk and urges visitors to woods, parks and green spaces to stay fire-free. Anderson said: 'Barbecues and campfires can spark disaster, and if you are a smoker it is good to have a tin to bring your extinguished cigarettes home, too. 'You might think you have stubbed them out, but it is surprising how they can smoulder on. 'A massive 2018 fire at our English colleagues' site at Smithills weighs heavy on the minds of all our site staff. 'With another huge fire on Dartmoor, and now this incident at Glen Finglas over the weekend, we beg the public to take care.' READ MORE: Police issue update on 'wilful' fire at Scottish primary school He added: 'With climate change the conditions where fires can become uncontrollable will likely become more frequent, so as a society we absolutely must get on top of this issue. 'Even a single ember can ignite wildfires that rage out of control. This poses serious threats to people, communities, homes and properties. 'There are grave concerns if you live on the edge of towns. The threat is not restricted to wildlife and green spaces. 'Saturday's Glen Finglas fire was bad but it could have been much worse. Thanks to an alert member of the public the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were out fast and had it under control in a couple of hours. 'Our staff and volunteers turned out too. Many thanks to them and to the person who raised the alert. I look at the images from Dartmoor and shudder. That could have been us.'
