The wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park is now largely surrounded, with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service expressing hope that residents can return to their properties today. The major inferno ignited in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and expanded to cover an area of approximately six kilometres by Thursday afternoon.
Evacuations and Impact
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a precaution. Four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) of ground have been burnt by the fire. On Saturday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that nine fire appliances and specialist resources remain at the scene, along with a helicopter conducting water-bombing operations above the blaze. No injuries have been reported.
Current Status
The service confirmed on Saturday that the blaze is now largely surrounded. While the operation is far from over, there is growing optimism that the combined efforts of fire crews, gamekeepers, and estate workers have made a significant impact. It is hoped that local residents and campers affected by the exclusion zone will be able to access their property and possessions later today, although roadblocks will remain in place for the time being.
Official Statements
Gavin Miles, Director of Planning and Place at the Park Authority, said: "News from Glenmore this morning is very encouraging, with colleagues from SFRS indicating that the fire is now largely surrounded. This is, though, still a live situation and teams are still very active on the ground, so we are taking nothing for granted at this stage." He added: "The Ski Road and surrounding areas are likely to be off-limits for some time to come given the sheer number of people and machinery on-site, but we’re hopeful that residents and campers directly impacted by the exclusion zone will be able to gain access later today."
Continued Efforts
A sizeable fire-fighting presence remains on the ground, with teams continuing to monitor both the eastern and western flanks of the fire and maintain the integrity of existing firebreaks to prevent further spread. Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth described the situation as a "very distressing, concerning and challenging time" in the mountain range. Justice Secretary Neil Gray said he met with senior officers from the fire service on Friday morning to receive the latest update on the wildfire, and insisted the Scottish Government is monitoring the situation "closely."
