Firefighters issue warning to Tomfat Woods residents

RESIDENTS living near Tomfat Woods have been warned to keep their windows and doors shut as drifting smoke spreads.

Firefighters were called to the woods, which lie five niles south of Inverness, yesterday evening.

Drifting smoke swept across part of the A9 this morning but did not cause a "significant hazard" for drivers, police said.

Around 25 firefighters were on the scene today with four engines.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service received around 30 calls alerting them to the fire.

The firefront stretched for 1.2 miles and was fanned by high winds.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said today: "The fire, which quickly spread eastwards due to high winds and dry conditions, is now burning south of the Milton of Leys area of Inverness, where residents are being advised to close their doors and windows to avoid drifting smoke.

"Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service are currently tackling the blaze, liaising closely with Police, Scottish Power and land owners.

"An area of the A9 to the south of Inverness is also affected by drifting smoke but at present this is not causing any significant hazard.

"The situation is being closely monitored by Northern Constabulary and Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service."

"The cause of the fire is unknown and will be fully investigated in due course, but at this time police and fire officers in the Highlands are reminding everyone to be mindful of the risks of starting fires in the current dry conditions," he added.

Elsewhere, firefighters were tackling a brush fire on the Charterhall estate near the B6460 in Duns, Berwickshire.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service sent six engines to the area at 4.56pm yesterday and an area of around 1 square kilometre had been affected by the blaze.

Two engines are still on site, a spokeswoman for the fire service said today.