Flare ‘started airfield wildfire’
Flare ‘started airfield wildfire’
17 April 2012
published by www.fifetoday.co.uk
United Kingdom — A wildfire which burned two hectares of grassland was started by a flare from a military exercise.
The blaze at West Freugh airfield in Stranraer was caused by “accidental ignition” by a flare being used in exercise Joint Warrior, according to Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service.
The service said firefighters were faced with a “fast-moving” fire which was aided by strong winds. They were assisted by two RAF firefighting vehicles and 11 Army personnel who were at the base as part of the exercise.
It took six hours to bring the fire under control but there were no injuries and no-one had to be evacuated.
The airfield blaze broke out at the same time as firefighters were dealing with another wildfire nearby. The blaze had been burning for almost 24 hours in the Mochrum area until it was brought under control at about 5pm on Monday.
At one point, it is said to have stretched for about four miles.
A fire service spokesman said: “This was a very challenging situation, compounded by the fact that the Fire and Rescue Service were dealing with another large wildfire in Wigtownshire at the same time.
“Fire service and military personnel worked well together to bring this blaze under control.”
Exercise Joint Warrior will see more than 1,600 troops training on the west coast of Scotland over the next two weeks.
The exercise is held twice a year to prepare forces from the UK, US, Denmark, Norway, France, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands for events and active service.
