The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remain in attendance at a serious forest fire about 10 miles to the south of Wick.
The blaze broke out in Rumster Forest near Lybster and was estimated by the fire service to have spread over about “one kilometre” of land.
Four appliances have been ordered to the scene but three remain in place as a major water-bombing operation by helicopter continued.
The alarm was raised initially at around 3.40pm and when the fire service arrived they attempted to run hoses to the site of the fire, which is quite remote.
The helicopter was called-in around two hours later and fire service officers were withdrawn to allow the water bombing operation to begin.
Last night, three appliances remained at the scene and are on stand-by to offer assistance and tackle any flames that threaten to spread.
It is understood that felling work was being undertaken in the forest which is also home to Rumster Forest Television Transmitter mast that services thousands of homes across the north.
