Question reference: S6W-18953
- Date lodged: 9 June 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 16 June 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of utilising helicopters for wildfire suppression has been during the recent Cannich incident, and how much of this cost was met through public funds.
Answer
The total cost for the helicopters utilised at the Cannich fire is not known at this stage, as the incident is still ‘live’ with damping down activity ongoing, and the two suppliers (PDG Aviation Ltd and Skyhook Helicopters) have not yet submitted their respective invoices.
The final cost of the helicopter support will run to hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the majority of the cost being met by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
FLS deployed the helicopters to the incident at the request and in liaison with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Cost allocation has not yet been discussed with neighbouring land owners/managers.