Firefighters are spending a third day tackling a major wildfire in the Cairngorms that has forced evacuations of homes and businesses. The blaze began in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and had spread to cover an area of approximately six kilometres by Thursday afternoon.
Evacuations and Response
As a safety precaution, a number of properties, including campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated. Firefighters worked through Thursday night, and six fire engines along with specialist resources remained on the scene on Friday morning. There have been no reports of any casualties. Firefighters describe the incident as “protracted” but confirm they have “adequate resources” to manage the situation.
Government and Agency Statements
Scotland’s Justice Secretary Neil Gray, who holds resilience responsibilities, stated on Thursday that the fire has been contained. He said: “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. Public safety is the priority, which is why the decision to evacuate a campsite and various properties has been taken as a precautionary measure.”
Gray added: “I want to thank the firefighters, police, land managers, volunteers and all partners who are doing an outstanding job keeping people, property and the natural environment as safe as possible. The Scottish Government continues to monitor the situation closely and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed they have adequate resources committed to this incident.”
Lynne Gow, an SFRS area commander based in the Highlands, said: “I would agree that we have adequate resources. We’re absolutely certain of our practical plan here.”
Environmental Impact
The RSPB reported that approximately 300 hectares of land have been burnt so far. The charity stated that 27 of its staff and volunteers were assisting in firefighting efforts earlier in the week, using equipment such as all-terrain vehicles with water bowsers, backpack hoses, and shovels.
Ongoing Restrictions and Warnings
A strict cordon remains in place, and the public is advised not to travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich, or surrounding areas while firefighting operations continue. SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin said: “This remains a protracted incident, and I want to thank our firefighters for their continued commitment and determination in challenging conditions. The safety of our communities remains our priority, and we will continue to assess the need for any further evacuations alongside multi-agency partners as the incident progresses.”
McMeekin also warned: “The wildfire risk across Scotland remains high. We are asking everyone to follow the advice in place, stay away from the affected area and help reduce the risk of further wildfires while our crews continue their work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
Wildfire Risk and Other Incidents
The blaze occurs as parts of Scotland face a very high risk of wildfire over the coming days. The SFRS, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, has issued wildfire warnings for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland. The alert, indicating a very high risk of wildfire, came into effect on Wednesday and lasts until Monday, following several days of hot and dry weather.
In a separate incident, firefighters are tackling a wildfire at Fauldhouse Moor in West Lothian. They were called to the scene at 5:52 pm on Thursday, and two fire engines remained at the scene on Friday morning. No casualties have been reported.
