A LARGE wildfire has scorched parts of the Bute Community Forest, destroying eight hectares of cherished habitat and impacting areas far beyond, including parts of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at the north end of the island.
Chair of the Bute Community Forest, Richard Whitcomb, described the damage as ‘devastating’, noting the fire had affected ‘miles and miles of important habitat stretching as far as the eye can see across the land to the west’.
In a landscape known for its vibrant biodiversity, the sudden shift is stark.
Richard said: “In the Community Forest affected area, you can walk from wood sorrel and primroses one second, scorched black earth the next.”
The fire swept through an arc from just below the World
War Two bunker’s rope swing, following the kayak trail down the hillside and to the shoreline near the kayak shelter, affecting the well- known walk to the Maids of Bute.
While many trees may survive, the fire has burned much of the ground-level vegetation.
Trees still recovering from the last major fire, around five years ago, have been hit again.
He added: “The recovery time starts for them again— and it takes many, many years.”
Richard also noted that, unlike other global ecosystems, none of the UK’s native species require fire to regenerate: “Without our human presence, wildfire periods would be over several decades, often century- long time-frames, giving the native flora and fauna time to recover.”
Of particular concern is the SSSI to the north of the island, already under threat before the fire.
Richard said: “It has been burnt to a crisp.
This severely threatens its status as an area of special ecological value.
“In the short term, we all have to live with scarred hillsides and the acrid, lung- hurting air. In the long-term, we have a more denuded landscape.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but Whitcomb urged focus on prevention and accountability rather than blame, adding: “There is little value in toxic sounding off and mudslinging as to who started the fire, but lessons need to be learned, and things need to change.”
He highlighted that warnings had been issued well in advance.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued an extreme fire warning as early as Monday, April 9, prior to several incidents on the island.
What is clear is the damage caused by the wildfires on the island will be felt by many Brandanes and more for years to come.
