Minister defends decision to reject UK military help to fight wildfire

Scotland's justice secretary has denied trying start a political row after rejecting an offer of UK military support to tackle a major wildfire in the Cairngorms.

The UK government said it would provide military helicopters for heavy lifting, along with support from stand-by battalions, after a major incident was declared at the weekend.

But Neil Gray said it had been unable to fulfil a "specific request" for waterbombing helicopters and that firefighters on the ground had the resources which were needed.

Nine fire engines, specialist resources and 75 firefighters remain at the scene near Nethy Bridge, 13 days after the fire broke out.

Some village residents were evacuated as a precaution at the weekend, but have since been able to return to their homes.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the situation had "improved significantly" but that the incident was still "large and complex".

Some local groups have been critical of ministers for being slow in scaling up the response to the fire.

When asked if he was trying to start a political row, Neil Gray said his "entire focus" was to ensure the necessary support was available to respond to "this very significant and prolonged incident".

He told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast that every commercial waterbombing helicopter in the UK was scrambled over the last week.

Gray said he "heard informally" that the UK military did not have waterbombing helicopters available, which "people might be concerned to learn".

He added: "When a major incident was called on Friday, we felt it was right to formalise that and ensure for certain that the very specific need we had for waterbombing capability was exhausted.

"We are now aware that the UK does not have that military capability, and so we could not get further support or assistance."

A UK government spokesperson said it was "urgently considering what support can be provided" and that it would help however it could.

"This includes mutual aid from English Fire and Rescue Services and our National Resilience function," it said.

"We are already engaged with local teams on the ground through our permanent regional liaison officers."

Gray said it was likely that the blaze was initially caused by "human interaction" and the Scottish government would be "reviewing" its response to wildfires following the incident.

Sandy McCook, chairman of Nethy Bridge Community Council, accused the Scottish government of "dithering" in its response to the fire.

He told BBC Radio Scotland that turning down the offer of UK assistance was "churlish in the extreme".

He said: "I'm very disappointed in the Scottish government's response in general.

"Had we asked for UK resources a week ago, when this fire was clearly running away from the fire service, regardless of what was said by Neil Gray, we wouldn't still be here fighting it now."

McCook added: "When this fire discovered, it was described by the person who reported as the size of a small car.

"We're now up to 30 square kilometres of some of Scotland's most beautiful, pristine landscapes, hugely important conservation areas, burnt to a crisp, still smouldering and still burning."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the situation on the ground had "improved significantly" thanks to rainfall overnight on Sunday and lowering wind speeds.

But Kenny Barbour, SFRS deputy assistant chief officer, said the incident remained "large and complex".

He said: "We remain content that between the SFRS and our partners, we have got sufficient personnel on the ground for us to deliver our tactical plan," he said.

The fire broke out near the village of Glenmore on 15 July, and led to residents and campsites being evacuated.

It covered about six square kilometres of heather and small trees at its height, with more than 500 firefighters involved in the response.

Neil Gray has denied playing politics over the Scottish government's request for UK assistance.

But that's the allegation being levelled at the justice secretary, given he's admitted that he knew in advance - albeit at a informal level - that it could not be fulfilled.

The Tories have branded it a "cynical stunt", designed to deflect from Scottish ministers' handling of the wildfire, and an opportunity to have a pop at the UK government.

It's always the case, given the ongoing constitutional debate, that major events involving interaction between the two administrations can quickly spill into more political territory.

And the risk of that happening seems more heightened right now, given the first minister's recent claim that relations had "haemorrhaged" after Douglas Alexander took over as Scottish Secretary.

So far, UK Labour figures have resisted wading into any criticism of Scottish ministers' approach.

Meanwhile others say the wildfire has raise questions for both governments - with the Scottish Greens calling on the two to work together to ensure the right resources are in place in the future.