How leaf blowers and jet washers are tackling wildfires

Scotland has been playing host to an international conference on wildfires in Aberdeen, attended by experts from Spain, Portugal and Australia.

This included demonstrations of equipment, including the leaf blowers and jet washers, at the James Hutton Institute’s Glensaugh Farm near Laurencekirk.

There were also helicopters dropping up to a tonne of water at a time from huge buckets onto the hillside.

While the fire service in Scotland has no direct access to helicopters, estates can arrange for their use through insurance companies.

The technique is most effective when several aircraft are attacking the fire at the same time, although that can be expensive.