A large wildfire spreading through the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands has prompted evacuations, with authorities instructing residents to "leave your pets and go." Emergency services rushed to the scene after the blaze broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, close to Nethy Bridge, on Wednesday afternoon, sending large volumes of smoke toward nearby towns.
Evacuations and Immediate Response
Four fire engines and specialist wildfire resources were scrambled to the area, with no reported injuries. Duncan Ferguson, from Glenmore near Aviemore, told the PA news agency that police came to his house telling residents to evacuate immediately, leaving pets behind. He warned that the fire could become severe and affect property unless contained quickly. "It's going to be bad, it's going to be major unless they get hold of it. It's heathland at the minute, but it's started to burn in the upper area of the regeneration of the Caledonian pine forest," he said. "Once it comes down into there, it's dry, dry ground, with a real load to burn. It's just going to get hotter and hotter." Ferguson, operations manager at the Spey Fishery Board, added that a nearby campsite had not yet been evacuated.
Advice for Residents and Visitors
Glenmore Lodge, a nearby outdoors centre, confirmed it was within the evacuation zone and advised travellers to avoid the area. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) urged residents in Aviemore, Glenmore, and surrounding communities to keep windows and doors closed due to large volumes of smoke. Group Commander Raymond King stated: "We are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park. Operations control were first alerted at 11.49am and we have mobilised four fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources to the area. There are no reported casualties." He added: "Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice." King also asked hillwalkers and visitors to avoid the area while firefighting continues.
Wider Wildfire Risk Across Scotland
A spokesperson for the Cairngorms National Park Authority 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. This incident – alongside wildfires we are seeing across the UK this week – serves as a stark reminder of the risks that periods of drier, hotter weather can pose." The wildfire comes as the UK experiences its third heatwave of the year, with extreme heat contributing to blazes across the country. Firefighters are also battling a gorse fire at Garry Park Wood in Lochore Meadows Country Park, Fife, alerted at around 3.15pm on Wednesday. Parts of Scotland are at very high risk of wildfire over the next few days, and the SFRS has warned people to stay vigilant and act responsibly. The SFRS, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, issued wildfire warnings for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland, in force from Wednesday until Monday. The fire service advises anyone who sees a large outdoor fire to call 999 immediately, providing the location and any relevant information.
