Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has asked the military to assist as a major wildfire continues to burn in the Highlands. The move came after a major incident was declared, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the pressure on emergency responders.

The Scottish Government’s request for Army help marks a significant escalation in its response to the fire. Swinney had faced mounting calls to bring in additional support as the blaze remained out of control and concerns grew over its impact on the area.

While full operational details were not immediately clear, military assistance is typically sought when civil authorities need extra capacity during a large-scale emergency. In this case, the request underlines the scale of the Highlands wildfire and the challenges involved in containing it.

The incident has become a major test for the Scottish Government as firefighters and other services work to manage the blaze. With the wildfire still posing a serious threat, the focus remains on strengthening the response and bringing the situation under control.