Rapid Response to Major Forest Fire: Barrhill Forest Complex
Overview
Summary: A major forest fire that started within the Barrhill Forest Complex on the border of South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland damaged approximately 61 hectares of commercial forestry and rough grazing. There is a large area of commercial forestry within the vicinity and the fire had the potential to cause significant damage if not controlled.
Scottish Woodlands, which manages the site, was called upon to coordinate emergency response efforts when the wildfire broke out at Barloch, part of Barrhill Forest Complex, on 22nd May 2025. This incident occurred during the UK's warmest and driest spring on record, creating exceptionally high wildfire risks. With the fire initially affecting 10 hectares and threatening to spread across forest boundaries into neighbouring crops and residential areas, immediate expert intervention was required.
Challenge
The fire presented multiple complex challenges during unprecedented conditions:
- Extreme seasonal conditions: Spring 2025 was the UK's warmest and driest on record, with rainfall 40% below average and record sunshine hours, creating exceptional wildfire risk;
- Weather conditions: Strengthening winds on day two caused rapid expansion in the tinder-dry landscape;
- Infrastructure threats: Risk of fire jumping roads (B7027) into neighbouring agricultural land;
- Asset protection: Threat to holiday home and adjacent forest compartments;
- Coordination complexity: Multiple emergency services [Newton Stewart, Dumfries, Stranraer, Maybole, Colmonell Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) teams] requiring forest expertise for effective site access.
The fire's behaviour became unpredictable when it jumped containment lines, spreading into fields with abundant dry fuel, threatening Dornal and Kirkcalla forests and residential properties.
Solution
Scottish Woodlands deployed comprehensive emergency forest management protocols:
Immediate Response (Day 1):
- On-site liaison with SFRS Incident Commander within hours of notification;
- Site access facilitation and terrain guidance for emergency crews;
- Stakeholder communication with neighbouring landowners and contractors;
- Helicopter authorisation secured proactively (though initially held in reserve)
Escalated Response (Day 2):
- Emergency helicopter deployment coordinated with Skyhook helicopters;
- Strategic fire suppression focusing on protecting high-value forestry assets;
- Continuous assessment and real-time decision-making as conditions changed;
- Maintained communication channels between all parties throughout the 4-hour aerial operation.
Risk Management:
- Proactive authorisation processes enabling rapid helicopter deployment;
- Strategic site knowledge allowing SFRS teams to work effectively;
- Coordinated approach preventing spread to additional forest compartments.
Results
Fire Suppression Success:
- Fire contained and extinguished with helicopter support and natural rainfall;
- Nearby holiday home protected from immediate threat;
- Neighbouring forest ownerships (Dornal, Kirkcalla) saved from major damage;
- Operation concluded successfully within 48 hours.
Asset Assessment:
- Total area affected: 61 hectares
- Barrhill Forest Complex: 20 ha (16 ha stocked forest)
- Damage breakdown: 10 ha of 4 year old (2021) plantation (replanting required), 6 ha 13 year old (2012) crop (assessment ongoing)
- Structured approach to damage evaluation and recovery planning established
Professional Coordination: The collaboration between Scottish Woodlands' forest expertise and emergency services demonstrated the critical value of having forestry professionals embedded in wildfire response, enabling more effective resource deployment and site management for this privately owned forest complex.
Euan Wilkie, Forest Manager at Fenwick Office, Scottish Woodlands said:
"The helicopter spent approximately 4 hours fighting the fire and was successful in extinguishing the fronts that were presenting a risk to the forestry and the nearby holiday home."
