Wildfire Cumbernauld

At approximately 1348 hours on the 8th May 2010 Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Operations Control received an emergency call reporting a fire near Fannyside Road, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.

Firefighters from Cumbernauld Community Fire Station were mobilised to the scene.  On arrival the fire crews were faced with a developing 'wildland fire' involving heather, gorse and trees. The Incident Commander requested further assistance to control the rapid spread of fire.

Thirty firefighters from Community Fire Stations across North and South Lanarkshire fought the fire, which at its peak covered 130 hectares (320 acres) of land between Palacerigg Country Park and the Fannyside Lochs. The fire was fought using main jets from local water supplies and beaters.  Firefighters remained on the scene for seven hours preventing the fire spreading to adjacent forests and electrical power lines.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

During periods of dry weather the general public are urged to exercise caution with smoking materials and other ignition sources when they are close to heath land and forested areas.

There is no further information at this stage.