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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ruth Suter

Fire crews work overnight to battle huge wildfire ripping through Scots hills

Fire crews have worked overnight to battle a huge wildfire that is currently ripping its way through Scots hill land.

Firefighters scrambled to A98 between Banff and Macduff, Aberdeenshire, after receiving the alarm at 2.05am today.

Six fire engines raced to the inferno where they all currently remain.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) height vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) are among the apparatus being used to tackle the flames.

The fire has spread to 800m by 50m in size (Morag Smith Mcdonald)

The fire is believed to have spread to 400m by 50m in size.

Shocking images from the scene show the blaze tearing through the hillside as thick plumes of smoke billow across Aberdeenshire.

Police Scotland have also attended the incident to divert oncoming traffic as Union Road remains closed.

Images show the flames tearing through the hills (Morag Smith Mcdonald)

Meanwhile, fire chiefs have warned residents to keep their windows closed due to the thick plumes of smoke.

An SFRS spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 2.05am on Monday, May 16 to a wildfire along the A947 between Banff and Macduff.

"Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and firefighters, where they currently remain.

"A height vehicle and an ATV vehicle are also in attendance.

"Residents in Banff and the surrounding area should keep windows closed due to high volumes of smoke.

"Road closures are also in place."

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