Upland keeper

Recent wildfires are a great example of why policymakers must not lose sight of the importance of traditional skills, says Lindsay Waddell

- Lindsay Waddell

We don't seem to learn much from the mistakes of others. This is a phrase I have used before but it's a very pertinent one given the "wild" fires we have seen recently. The immediate risk has now gone, given the rain we've just had, but the fact remains; we have more large expanses of vegetation in the countryside than ever in living memory.

I have seen the Scottish moorland landscape change out of all recognition in my lifetime, from being managed by gamekeepers and farmers to being pretty much neglected over vast areas. This has resulted in a huge increase in the amount biomass liable to go up in flames. Tree cover is another issue as fighting fire in forestry is another thing entirely and it's hugely complicated.

Arrogance

It took English settlers in places such as Australia many years to accept that indigenous peoples were correct in how they managed their environment. That bias mainly came down to the arrogance of those colonial powers who took control of the land. A very similar thing is happening in Britain today.