A helicopter has joined firefighting efforts as crews spend a third day tackling a major wildfire which has led to evacuations in the Cairngorms. The fire started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and spread to cover an area of around six kilometres by Thursday afternoon.
An estimated four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) of ground have been burnt by the fire. On Friday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said more than 50 firefighters are at the scene, along with nine fire appliances and specialist resources. A helicopter is also carrying out water-bombing operations above the blaze. There have been no reports of any casualties.
Evacuations and Closures
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution. 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.
Firefighting Operations
Firefighters say they are facing a “protracted incident” as they seek to prevent the flames spreading to other areas, but they insisted they have “adequate resources” to deal with the incident. They are pumping water from Loch Morlich to support firefighting operations, and are working alongside landowners and partner agencies to establish firebreaks and contain the spread of the fire.
Area commander Lynne Gow said the use of a helicopter is helping limit the spread of the blaze. “The deployment of a helicopter provides an additional operational capability which can be particularly effective across challenging terrain and in areas that are difficult to access,” she said. “Aerial support complements the extensive work already being undertaken by firefighters and partner agencies on the ground and enhances our ability to limit the spread of fire where conditions allow, as we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
Government Response
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said on Friday it has been a “very distressing and challenging time” in the Cairngorms. She said: “As I understand it, the fire is currently contained. SFRS are keeping that matter under control at the current time. Ministers are receiving regular updates. The Justice Secretary is leading on that matter. I’ve been receiving updates as well, it’s a very concerning time. The authorities, as I understand it at the current time, have the fire relatively controlled. They’re monitoring it at all times, and ministers are receiving regular and routine updates in relation to the fire at the front.”
Justice Secretary Neil Gray, who has responsibility for resilience within his portfolio, said on Friday: “This morning I met with senior officers from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to receive the latest update on the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park. I want to thank everyone involved in tackling this incident for their exceptional dedication and hard work. That includes SFRS crews, Police Scotland, land managers, volunteers and all partner agencies who are working together to keep people, property and our natural environment as safe as possible. The Scottish Government is monitoring the situation closely.”
Environmental Impact
The RSPB said around 300 hectares of land have been burnt so far. The charity said 27 of its staff and volunteers were out helping fight the blaze earlier in the week, using equipment including all-terrain vehicles with water bowsers, backpack hoses and shovels. A spokesperson said: “While we won’t know the full impact of the fire until it is out, we are very worried about the impact on young Scots pine and broadleaved trees from areas of natural regeneration and planting as well as impacts on invertebrates, reptiles, mammals and birds. The fire is currently being fought on two fronts – one where it has moved into Forestry Land Scotland at Glenmore and the other on our nature reserve. There is a huge community effort to halt the spread and extinguish it, with gamekeepers and other staff from neighbouring estates, multiple partner organisations, our volunteers and community volunteers all working alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. We are also incredibly grateful for the support from local businesses and individuals who have helped provide supplies for those on the front line. The Loch Garten Nature Centre remains closed, and we would ask everyone to adhere to the requests from the SFRS including not to travel to the area.”
Wildfire Warnings
The fire service, 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. It follows days of hot and dry weather in many parts of the country.
Elsewhere, firefighters have tackled a wildfire at Fauldhouse Moor in West Lothian. They were called to the scene at 5.52pm on Thursday and four fire engines remained on site on Friday afternoon. Firefighters were also tackling a blaze at Tentsmuir Forest in Fife, where three fire engines were sent to the scene when the alarm was raised at 12.50pm on Friday. There have been no reports of any casualties at the incidents.
