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Countryside Ranger Service helps reduce the number of wilful fires at Aberdeen beauty spots

Aberdeen City Council’s Countryside Ranger Service has played a vital role in reducing wilful fires at popular city beauty spots, its annual report has shown.

According to the report, which went before members of the Housing and Environment Committee today [Tuesday 24 January], the number of wilful fires at Kincorth Hill and Tullos Hill has dropped from 137 in 2005 to 16 in 2011. Similarly, in the Auchmill and Bucksburn areas the number of wilful fires fell from 23 in 2008 (when data was first collected) to 14 last year.

The annual report, compiled by Countryside Officer Ian Talboys, states: “The groundbreaking work the service has done to reduce wilful fire-raising brought together agencies and the local community to address a serious safety and environmental problem at minimal cost to any organisation but has generated large savings in time and resources, particularly for the fire service.

“Grampian Fire and Rescue Service have noted that they now receive more calls per fire incident in these areas than previously and while the fires are still at an early

stage. This has resulted in fires being extinguished more quickly so having a lesser impact on the natural habitats. There has also been success in detecting individuals who are setting some of these fires.”

The Countryside Ranger Service annual report also shows that the number of school groups visiting countryside sites in Aberdeen for outdoor learning activities is on the up. As is the total number of volunteer hours worked, which climbed from 722 hours in 2008/09 to 2,089 last year.

The Countryside Ranger Service has been active in Aberdeen for nearly two decades and manages 30 countryside sites with the aim of promoting nature conservation, recreation and education. It continues to go from strength-to-strength and 2011 was one of its most successful years yet.

The service received national recognition in November when its innovative Bridges Project was named Education Initiative of the Year at the Herald Society Awards in Glasgow. The Bridges Project saw the local authority team up with the Scottish Prison Service to improve the skills, self-esteem and employability of inmates at HMP Craiginches. The Countryside Ranger Service also carried out a project to clear fly tipping at Elrick Hill and installed a height barrier to prevent large vehicles from entering the car park. The team’s work was also a key part of Aberdeen’s entry in the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom competition, which achieved a Silver Gilt medal.

Housing and Environment Committee convener Councillor Aileen Malone said: “The Countryside Ranger team provides an essential service and I know they work extremely hard to promote and maintain the city’s countryside sites. They also provide a valuable educational resource and regularly host public events to raise awareness and highlight special features, history and species of the sites.”

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