Key facts
- A wildfire has been burning for three days in the Cairngorms National Park.
- Helicopters have been deployed to waterbomb the blaze.
- Over 50 firefighters are working to contain the fire.
- Homes, campsites, and a ski resort have been evacuated.
- The fire has burned approximately 300 hectares of land.
A significant wildfire in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, the UK's largest national park, has been burning for three days, prompting evacuations and extensive firefighting efforts. Over 50 firefighters, supported by multiple appliances and specialist units, are working to contain the blaze which started in heathland near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge.
A helicopter joined the waterbombing efforts on Thursday night, providing crucial aerial support to complement the ground operations. Fire crews are drawing large volumes of water from Loch Morlich and are creating fire breaks to prevent the fire's spread. The wildfire has so far consumed approximately 300 hectares (4 sq km or 1.5 sq miles) of land.
As a safety precaution, several homes, campsites, and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area have been evacuated. A strict cordon remains in place, restricting access to Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich to ensure public safety and support firefighting operations. Landowners, gamekeepers, and volunteers from organisations like RSPB Scotland have also been assisting, providing local expertise and resources.
Climate scientist Michael Byrne noted that increased winter rainfall followed by overall warming trends are contributing to a heightened risk of wildfires in Scotland. Justice Secretary Neil Gray acknowledged the "exceptional work of firefighters" in containing the fire, emphasizing that public safety is the priority and that adequate resources are committed to the incident.