Scottish wildfire forces evacuations as blaze spreads north from Galloway

Scottish government holds emergency meeting to coordinate response after blaze reaches Loch Doon

Emergency services were on Sunday continuing to battle a wildfire that started in Galloway in the south of Scotland, and has spread north into East Ayrshire, forcing the evacuation of walkers and wild campers.

The blaze started in the Newton Stewart area on Thursday, then spread northwards over the weekend after a change in wind direction to reach Loch Doon.