Dozens flee as as raging fires ravage moors

DOZENS of people were evacuated yesterday as a two-mile-wide wildfire ravaged bone-dry countryside.

- Paul Drury

Fire crews spent hours tackling the blaze in Galloway using helicopters to "water-bomb" moorland and forests. There have not been any reports of injuries but experts say the situation remans critical.

Meanwhile, colleagues 300 miles north were also tackling another major fire yesterday.

It broke out in the west Highlands near Ullapool and led to a stretch of the A835 between the Achiltibuie junction and the junction at Badagyle being closed.

The blaze in Galloway later spread to the nearby Bennan and Lamachan Hills.

Other areas affected included Merrick Hill and Ben Yellary.

Spotters

A change in the wind direction prompted fears the flames might affect Loch Doon near Newton Stewart in Wigtownshire.

Members of Galloway Mountain Rescue Team were called in to act as spotters for fire crews.

Team leader, Stewart Gibson told BBC Radio's The Sunday Show: "It's an exceptionally dry period of weather we have been having and I know for the next week it is going to be very dry as well.

"So, anyone out with a camping stove, anything can park the fire, so we would urge anyone out to take care.

'We would advise people not to light camp fires and use naked flames."