More than 70 firefighters still battling Cairngorms wildfire eleven days on

Key Points

Cairngorms wildfire which started eleven days ago continues to rage
Residents evacuated from Nethy Bridge now advised to return home
75 firefighters remain on scene battling blaze affecting large area
More than 500 firefighters involved since blaze broke out
Swinney says situation still ‘very serious’ despite major incident stood down

More than 70 firefighters are still battling a wildfire in the Cairngorms which has been raging for 11 days.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said on Saturday evening 75 firefighters remained on the ground working alongside more than 30 heavy machinery operators to tackle areas of fire affecting land near Nethy Bridge.

The blaze, which first broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge on July 15, had begun spreading after nearly two weeks of firefighting efforts.

A sudden shift in weather conditions bringing stronger winds caused unpredictable flare-ups, pushing the fire towards properties and woodland in Strathnethy, home to around 600 residents over the weekend.

The wildfire on Thursday night as Police Scotland declares major incident STV News

Locals in and around Nethy Bridge were evacuated from their homes, with emergency services directing evacuees to a respite centre set up at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel.

Last night, First Minister John Swinney called for military aid from the UK Government to help battle the fire.

Residents are now being advised they can return to their homes with a major incident declared by Police Scotland now stood down due to the removal of “immediate risk”.

Firefighters will continue to maintain a significant operational presence until the incident is safely concluded, crews said.

Helicopter water-bombing has continued, dropping between 20,000 and 40,000 litres an hour on the areas affected.

Residents as far away as Aberdeenshire and Moray, who are currently being impacted by the spread of smoke, are still being asked to keep all windows and doors closed.

SFRS’ Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour said: “The decision to stand down the major incident follows a detailed assessment by emergency responders.

“The extensive work carried out over recent days, including the creation of effective fire breaks, has significantly reduced the risk to nearby communities, allowing evacuated residents to safely return home.

“Public safety remains our absolute priority. We want to reassure local communities that we will maintain a significant operational response until the incident has been safely concluded and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

“We would also like to thank everyone who has supported the response, including the heavy machinery operators, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate game keepers, volunteers and our emergency service partners.”

Highlands & Islands

Evacuations continue after Cairngorms wildfire rages overnight in major incident

Fire crews from nine fire appliances remain at the scene of the ongoing wildfire within the Cairngorms National Park

A total of more than 500 firefighters have been involved in the response since the incident began on July 15. At its peak, the fire engulfed roughly six square kilometres of heather and woodland.

As of Saturday, the very high risk of wildfires has also ended.

Superintendent Judy Hill said: “I would want to reassure our communities that the ongoing multi agency response remains a high priority, with significant partnership resources and volunteers working tirelessly and in challenging circumstances, to support our efforts to extinguish the fires.

“Thanks to the efforts of fire crews, gamekeepers, contractors, partners and many others over the past 24 hours, there is no longer the immediate threat which prompted the evacuation of properties in Nethy Bridge.

“We are grateful to the community for their support and understanding in what has been a period of concern and disruption.”

First Minister John Swinney said on Saturday evening: “Efforts to tackle the wildfire in the Cairngorms are in their tenth day, and changeable weather conditions have presented a range of challenges for those on the ground. I praise their resilience and tireless efforts to bring it under control.

“With residents in Nethy Bridge now able to return to their homes, Police Scotland have lifted the Major Incident declaration. I want to stress however, that the Scottish Government, the emergency services and all relevant authorities will continue to treat this wildfire, as has been the case since its onset, with the utmost seriousness and necessary resources until the last flames are out.

“I have been heartened to hear of the cooperation and support from the local community – an appeal earlier today for assistance with the provision of plant machinery to help firefighting efforts was responded to quickly and no further equipment is needed at this time.

“We do ask for the continued patience of members of the public and their cooperation in staying away from the area both for their own safety and to enable those on the scene to focus on the task at hand.”