Cairngorms restrictions to remain in place as wildfire dampening down continues

Restrictions in the Cairngorms are expected to remain in place until next week as emergency services continue dampening down wildfire hotspots.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been tackling a blaze near Aviemore since last week.

Fire crews, estate staff and volunteers are continuing to monitor the site for hot spots and dampening down in Glenmore and near Lochan Uaine (Green Lochan) areas to control and prevent further flare-ups.

They have been joined by two helicopters dropping water, guided by thermal drone data, which are expected to remain on the scene into the weekend.

Police also remain in attendance.

Firefighters have been battling the wildfire for more than a week. PA Media

Members of the public are currently unable to access the Glenmore, Abernethy and Loch Morlich areas.

In a social media post, the Cairngorms National Park confirmed that the restrictions are unlikely to be lifted until next week.

Government consider dedicated aerial service to tackle wildfires

In the wake of wildfires taking hold in the Cairngorms and also on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the Scottish Government is considering calls for a dedicated air service to tackle such incidents.

First Minister John Swinney visited the Cairngorms on Tuesday to meet the firefighters on the front line.

Ross Ewing, the director of moorland and strategic projects for Scottish Land and Estates, welcomed the First Minister’s visit, but called for a dedicated helicopter to help tackle wildfires.

“We welcome the First Minister’s visit to Loch Morlich today and are grateful for the time he took to see first-hand the impact of this devastating wildfire.

“We particularly appreciate his willingness to engage directly with firefighters, gamekeepers, land managers, agencies and local residents, whose efforts have been vital in responding to this major incident.

“There must also be a serious discussion about Scotland’s preparedness for future wildfires,” he said.

“Scottish Land & Estates remains deeply concerned about the lack of a dedicated, aerial, firefighting capability.

“No helicopters were available on the first day of this fire, despite the fact that the battle against a wildfire is often won or lost in those crucial early hours.

“Similar challenges in accessing aerial assets were highlighted during the Carrbridge-Dava wildfire last year, demonstrating that this is not an isolated issue.

“Scotland needs a dedicated aerial response capability, available at the time of need and operating under the command and control of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

A wildfire also took hold on Arthur's Seat. — A wildfire also took hold on Arthur’s Seat. STV News

“As wildfire risk continues to grow, we must ensure our firefighters have the resources they need to tackle these incidents effectively.”

Swinney acknowledged that aerial support during the wildfire is “fundamental” when it comes to wildfires.

He told STV News: “There is quite clearly an availability of equipment, for example, which makes it more plausible for fires in such circumstances to be brought under control. We have to be constantly addressing whether or not all of that equipment is of the right scale and nature.

“We’ve got to be addressing whether the skills are there to ensure that we can challenge and deal with fires in acutely difficult locations, which this represents.

“And all of these factors are part of the ongoing learning that’s got to be undertaken as a consequence of wildfires of the nature of the type that we’ve experienced here in Strathspey.”