Firefighters spend third day tackling wildfire which has led to evacuations

Key Points

Fire started in heathland around half a mile from Ryvoan Bothy on Wednesday morning
Homes, businesses and campsites remain evacuated for safety
More than fifty firefighters remain at scene
Helicopter now helping operations
No reports of casualties

A helicopter is helping firefighters contain a major wildfire which has led to evacuations in the Cairngorms.

The fire, now on its third day, started in heathland around half a mile from Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and spread to cover an area of around six kilometres by Thursday afternoon.

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.

Around 50 firefighters, nine appliances, two specialist wildfire units and tactical commanders remain at the scene.

A strict cordon remains in place RSPB via Supplied

There have been no reports of any casualties.

Firefighters say they are facing a “protracted incident” as they seek to prevent the flames spreading to other areas, but that they have “adequate resources” to deal with the incident.

Scotland’s Justice Secretary Neil Gray, who has responsibility for resilience within his portfolio, said 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.

“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.”

The RSPB said approximately 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 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.

‘Complex and protracted incident’

Area Commander Lynne Gow said: “This remains a complex and protracted incident involving significant resources from across the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and our partner agencies. We are undertaking aggressive operations across two sectors to contain and suppress the fire.

“Protecting communities, property and the environment remains our priority as we continue working to bring this incident under control. More than 50 firefighters, specialist wildfire resources and tactical commanders continue to be deployed, with operational activity being continually reviewed to ensure our response remains appropriate to the scale and nature of the incident.

High volume pump drawing water from Loch Morlich SFRS via Supplied

“I would like to thank our firefighters for their tireless efforts in challenging conditions, as well as our partners, local businesses, communities and residents for their continued support and cooperation.

“We continue to work extremely closely with Forestry and Land Scotland and local gamekeepers, whose local expertise and knowledge of the land has been instrumental in supporting and informing our tactical plan.

“This incident remains appropriately resourced, with all assets coordinated through robust command structures, in partnership with agencies on the ground and through the Community Asset Register. We recognise and appreciate the offers of additional support that have been received. However, to support ongoing operations, we ask people not to attend the scene.”

As part of the multi-agency response, helicopters continue to conduct water-bombing operations, providing additional support to firefighters working on the ground.

Area Commander Gow said: “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.

“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.”

The blaze comes while parts of Scotland are at very high risk of wildfire over the next few days.

The SFRS, 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.