Lossiemouth Gorse fire

A large gorse fire near Lossiemouth has led to a number of people being evacuated and roads closed.

An estimated 26 people staying at the Silver Sands caravan site have been bussed to a rest centre at Lossie High School. There are no reports of casualties.

Fire and Rescue services are tackling the blaze and are expected to remain on site into the night when winds are expected to increase.

Police have cordoned off the area and a road closure has been put in place. The road closed is the B9040 (Lossie to Hopeman road) from the junction of B9135 to Williamston B9012.

A local diversion using the B9012 and B9135 has been created. See map.

Moray Council’s emergency planning group have coordinated a response to cater for the evacuated residents, and council staff are on site at Lossie High to assist those affected.

A further bulletin will be issued following the next meeting of the emergency planning group at 4pm.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.