Proposal for a community wildfire unit in Easter Ross and Sutherland.

Local leaders and rural organisations are invited to discuss creating an Easter Ross & Sutherland branch of Highland Wildfire Response, with an exploratory stakeholder meeting at Pittentrail Hall in Rogart on March 4 and a public drop-in earlier that day.

Community leaders, land managers and rural organisations across Easter Ross and Sutherland are being invited to meetings to explore a local wildfire response unit. An exploratory stakeholder meeting is set for Pittentrail Hall, Rogart, on Wednesday, March 4, with a public drop-in session earlier the same day. The proposal would establish an Easter Ross & Sutherland branch of Highland Wildfire Response as one of two proposed pilot units in the Highlands. Organisers say the project is modelled on mountain rescue teams and aims to strengthen local wildfire readiness, response and long-term resilience. What is known: - The exploratory stakeholder meeting will run from 5.30pm to 7pm on March 4, with a public drop-in from 2.30pm to 5pm the same day. No booking is required for the drop-in session. - The proposal would create an Easter Ross & Sutherland branch of Highland Wildfire Response CIC; a second proposed pilot unit would cover Glenurquhart. - Highland Wildfire Response CIC has been formed to drive the project and would use the Community Interest Company non-profit model while allowing a range of income-generating activities; organisers also plan a crowdfunder-style appeal and other fundraising initiatives. - John Mackenzie, an Easter Ross farmer and rural contractor who served as a crew commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service until January, is a leading figure behind the move. Organisers say communities should play a stronger role in wildfire preparation and response. - Organisers point to longer dry periods, land use pressures, policy change and limited Scottish Fire and Rescue Service capacity as factors behind growing wildfire risk in the Highlands. The meeting will test local appetite, support and funding for a coordinated, trained and insured community capability and will outline proposed governance, training and insurance arrangements, operating principles and potential funding and partnership models. Summary: Organisers describe the unit as intended to complement the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and to be shaped and supported by local people who live and work in the area. The immediate next steps are the public drop-in and the stakeholder meeting on March 4, where governance, training, insurance and funding options will be discussed. Further decisions will follow based on the responses and funding discussions arising from those meetings.