STV NewsThe First Minister has asked for military aid from the UK Government to battle a wildfire which has raged in the Cairngorms for ten days.
More than 500 firefighters have been tackling the blaze which has raged in the Cairngorms National Park, forcing the evacuation of homes in the remote region.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews from nine fire appliances remain at the scene of the blaze, which first broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge on July 15.
First Minister John Swinney said the blaze remains a “major and serious” incident but that they were seeing an “improved picture” on Saturday afternoon.
He said: “A request has been made today to the UK Government for military assistance in aerial support that can be used to supplement existing resources that are being deployed to tackle the Cairngorms wildfire and we await a response.”
Sandy McCook, chairman of the Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council, said residents of the Cairngorms village could see large plumes of smoke from the wildfire on Friday before they were evacuated.
Mr McCook said: “Apocalyptic is the word for the pall of smoke that was on the go yesterday.”
A sudden shift in weather conditions, bringing stronger winds, has caused unpredictable flare-ups, pushing the fire towards properties and woodland in Strathnethy, home to around 600 residents.
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.
The smoke is said to be blowing towards Aberdeenshire and the North Sea, but the flames were still “very plain to see” from the outskirts of Nethy Bridge, according to Mr McCook.
Overnight, fire crews confirmed that, as a precaution, residents in the small area of properties north-west of Dorback Lodge (Lain Thatchan) were also evacuated.
Residents in Tomintoul are advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution due to smoke from the wildfire
“If you are affected by smoke, stay indoors where possible, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity,” SFRS said.
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