Hillside engulfed in flames as Cairngorms wildfire rages after 'flare-up'

Key Points

Aberdeen to experience deteriorating air quality and reduced visibility due to smoke
11 appliances reduced to six on scene of Cairngorms wildfire after ‘major flare-up’
Gamekeepers stood down as strong winds making scene ‘too dangerous’
Residents more than 97 miles away ‘smelling and seeing smoke’
More than 100 firefighters mobilised since wildfire broke out nine days ago
‘Intensive firefighting efforts’ on land and air needed at hotspots amid difficult terrain
Crews receiving reports of people still trying to access closed off areas

Smoke from a wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park can now be seen 97 miles away in Aberdeen due to a change in wind direction.

Following a nine-day operation to bring the blaze under control, a major flare-up was reported on Thursday evening, caused by changing wind strength.

The incident has been described as “unpredictable” across a “vast and complex landscape”.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has warned that smoke from the incident is travelling over a wide area due to weather conditions.

Residents and businesses in the east area of Aviemore, as well as across parts of Aberdeenshire – including Inverurie, Banchory and Kintore and surrounding areas – and as far as Aberdeen city, could see or smell smoke today and into the weekend.

Those affected are urged to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.

The Met Office has said that poor quality is likely in Aberdeen due to the “significant” smoke plume that has drifted in.

Crews from eleven appliances were sent to the scene in Glenmore on Friday, including a command Support Unit and wildfire units. This was reduced to six appliances.

It is understood that gamekeepers fighting the fire were stood down because the situation was considered “too dangerous” with strong winds fanning the flames.

SFRS said in a statement: “Smoke from the ongoing wildfire incident within the Cairngorms National Park is travelling over a wide area due to current weather conditions.

“The wildfire incident remains dynamic and unpredictable. Changing wind strength and direction can cause flare-ups, reignition and the spread of smoke, with conditions continuing to evolve.

“Firefighters remain deployed to tackling the incident across a vast and complex landscape, supported by ongoing helicopter water-bombing operations. Crews, specialist wildfire resources and partner agencies continue to monitor conditions closely and work to prevent further spread.

“Please continue to stay away from the affected areas in the Cairngorms National Park while firefighting operations continue.”

Smoke billows from the hillside after change in wind direction STV News

The Cairngorms National Park authority said it was aware of more visible smoke on the scene of the wildfire in Glenmore.

“Changes in wind strength and direction can cause flare-ups, and fire crews continue to work with partners to deal with these and extinguish and dampen down hot spots,” a spokesperson said.

“We ask that you continue to avoid the Glenmore, Abernethy and Loch Morlich area and allow the people fighting the fire to do their jobs.”

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Aberdeen is currently being affected by a significant smoke plume that has drifted in from the Cairngorms, resulting in deteriorating air quality and reduced visibility across the area.

“Wind direction is currently fairly static, so there is unlikely to be much improvement over the next few hours. However, a frontal system is expected to move through later this evening, bringing some rainfall and a shift to a southwesterly airflow from around midnight. This should help to disperse the smoke and gradually improve both air quality and visibility.

“Until then, poor air quality is likely to persist for around the next 12 hours or so.

“The extent of the smoke plume is clearly visible on visible satellite imagery.”

‘Intensive firefighting’ still required on land and in air

Crews have maintained a significant presence at the scene since they were first called on Wednesday, July 15.

Helicopters, landowners, and estate workers on the ground have assisted crews in targeting hotspots in difficult-to-access locations.

More than 100 firefighters have been mobilised to the incident alongside specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles and partner agencies.

On Thursday, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Michael Humphreys said significant progress has been made in tackling the fire, but that hotspots continue to require intensive firefighting efforts on land and in the air.

Emergency services are urging walkers, visitors and members of the public to stay away from areas affected by the ongoing wildfire SFRS

He added on Friday: “Our crews remain at the scene of the wildfire in the Glenmore area of the Cairngorms National Park.

“Progress is being made; however, wildfires can change rapidly and unexpectedly.

“The situation on the ground remains dynamic and continues to be influenced by changing weather conditions, particularly wind strength and direction.

“Wind changes often cause smoke to change direction and cause flare-ups. Our wildfire tactical advisors are continually monitoring conditions and the scene.

“We continue to remain in attendance along with partners, to extinguish and dampen down hot spots. We ask the public to read our safety advice and to stay away from the area.”

Closed and restricted areas include:

Paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish.
Low-level routes including the Old Logging Way and routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy or Bynack More.
Paths within Abernethy Forest to the south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy also remain closed.

Despite road closures, signage and police cordons being in place, emergency services say they continue to receive reports of people attempting to enter the affected area.

‘The fire is blowing’

Abernethy Community Council leader Sandy McCook warned that the blaze is now threatening areas that had so far escaped the fire.

“The fire is blowing into Strathnethy, covering ground and also endangering areas that haven’t been burnt,” he told STV News.

“It was considered to be well out in Abernethy this morning, but we’ve had a wind change in direction this afternoon. The wind has turned much further round to the west.”

He said RSPB Scotland and local estate teams were once again working to tackle the wildfire, more than a week after it first broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge.

Sandy, who was among the representatives who met with First Minister John Swinney at Glenmore on Tuesday, said continued helicopter support was crucial to preventing further flare-ups.

Helicopters were used to 'water bomb' fire-ravaged woodland — Helicopters were used to ‘water bomb’ fire-ravaged woodland STV News

“We need full aerial support and we also need a lot of rain this summer,” he added.

“People are exhausted. Everyone’s been fighting it 24 hours a day since last Wednesday. The last thing they need is for us to be back to square one.

“My sympathies are with them.”

The flare-up comes as a very high wildfire risk warning remains in place across much of Scotland.

The warning for the Central Highlands, Southern Scotland and Eastern Scotland has been extended until Friday after initially being introduced for five days.