'Game-changing' new methods for wildfires

Drones and leaf blowers hailed by SFRS chief

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

A Scottish Fire and Rescue chief has said leaf blowers and drones are "an absolute game changer" in tackling wildfires.

Station commander Joe Fitzpatrick was providing an update to Perth and Kinross Council's Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee on Wednesday, October 1.

He told the committee forced air units - otherwise known as leaf blowers - and drones were now being used by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Fitzpatrick said leaf blowers could help stop the fire from spreading.

He explained: "Our strategy has now introduced these for personnel.

"We can attack now basically up to about a flame-length of 50cm to one metre with this.

"It's basically blowing the fire back into the area. It's tackling the triangular fire by preventing the fire spreading and radiating into the field."