A large wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park has been contained, according to a Scottish Government minister, after burning for more than 24 hours and affecting a near four-mile stretch of countryside. The blaze, which started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy near Nethy Bridge on Wednesday morning, led to the evacuation of campsites and other properties around Glenmore near Aviemore as a precautionary measure.
Firefighting Efforts and Containment
Scottish Justice Secretary Neil Gray, who holds responsibility for resilience, confirmed the containment and praised firefighters for their exceptional work. “This wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park is currently contained thanks to the exceptional work of firefighters who have been on the scene since Wednesday morning,” Gray said. He added that public safety remains the priority, with evacuations undertaken as a precaution. The Scottish Government continues to monitor the situation, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has confirmed adequate resources are committed.
Firefighters have been battling the blaze since Wednesday, with the fire described as a “protracted incident” by officials. Deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin stated, “This remains a protracted incident, and I want to thank our firefighters for their continued commitment and determination in challenging conditions.” He also thanked partner agencies, landowners, and local organisations for their support.
Impact on Land and Wildlife
The RSPB, which runs the nearby Loch Garten nature reserve, reported that approximately 300 hectares of land have been burnt so far. The charity deployed 27 staff and volunteers to help fight the blaze on Wednesday, using all-terrain vehicles with water bowsers, backpack hoses, and shovels. However, the RSPB noted an urgent need for a firefighting helicopter, as they believe all available helicopters have been deployed to wildfires south of the border.
No casualties have been reported. The fire service said the blaze is burning through 10-inch high heather and small trees, continuing at a “steady pace.” A strict cordon remains in place, and people have been warned not to travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich, or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing.
Evacuations and Local Concerns
Duncan Ferguson, operations manager at the Spey Fishery Board and a resident of Glenmore, described how police came to his house on Wednesday afternoon, telling residents to “leave your pets and go.” Some locals expressed concerns about tourists still trying to access the area despite road closures. One anonymous local woman said, “The absolute selfishness of tourists – isn’t that insane? ‘There’s a fire but we still want to go to Loch Morlich’ – I think it’s just ignorance.” She compared it to going somewhere during tornado season.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority stated that firefighters have been working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. A spokesperson said, “The ongoing incident near Ryvoan Bothy is deeply concerning, and we are grateful to all those who are working to tackle the fire. We would echo the advice of SFRS to avoid the area while firefighters and partners work to bring this blaze under control.”
Wildfire Risk and Warnings
The blaze comes while parts of Scotland are at very high risk of wildfire over the next few days. The SFRS, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, has issued wildfire warnings for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland. The alert, warning of a very high risk of wildfire, came into force on Wednesday and lasts until Monday, following days of hot and dry weather in many parts of the country.
