A wildfire that has burned for two weeks in the Cairngorms National Park has left an "apocalyptic" scene of devastation, according to park bosses. The fire has destroyed about 10 sq miles (25 sq km) of moorland and forestry near Aviemore since Wednesday 15 July.
What damage has the fire caused?
The blaze has torn through moorland and woodland across the Cairngorms, leaving large areas stripped bare. Malcolm Smith, farming advisor to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), said the impact on the landscape was "heartbreaking".
"You are passing through just bare forest now and birds flying about looking for their nests."
Smith added that it was "a really sad sight" and said people were used to seeing the mountains covered in snow in winter and enjoying them through the summer. He said it was striking to see the fire reach areas where people ski, adding that people would not have thought that was possible.
"You are used to these beautiful mountains all summer and seeing them covered in snow in winter.
"To see the fires getting up to where people ski you really wouldn't have thought that was possible."
Smith praised local communities for supporting firefighters, farmers and other volunteers.
How are crews tackling the wildfire?
Dozens of firefighters, supported by volunteers and helicopter water bombing, are continuing to tackle hotspots. It is hoped that cooler weather and rain will help prevent the flames from spreading further.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is due to provide an update on the firefighting effort later.
How badly has Loch Garten been affected?
RSPB Scotland said its Loch Garten reserve at Abernethy has been badly burned and could take weeks to recover. The charity said the reserve was home to 5,000 species and that insects, reptiles, trees, lichens and mosses had been killed.
The remains of wild birds' eggs were found in an area of burned heather at RSPB Scotland's Loch Garten Nature Reserve at Abernethy.
James Reynolds of RSPB Scotland said the wildfire had left a 6,177-acre (2,500ha) burn scar and described the scene as "ugly and upsetting". He said the situation remained live, with smouldering points in peaty soil that could reignite if the wind picked up.
"This is still very much a live situation."
"There are smouldering points - hotspots - in the soil which is quite peaty and when the wind get up that reignites and there are flames again."
Reynolds said it could be "weeks or more" before the wildfire was finally extinguished, and added: "We are praying for rain."
"This is still very much a live situation."
"There are smouldering points - hotspots - in the soil which is quite peaty and when the wind get up that reignites and there are flames again."
"We are praying for rain."
RSPB Scotland said affected habitats should recover, but it is not known how long that will take.
Why has the fire spread so widely?
The fire has come during a period of dry, warm weather and strong winds, conditions that have helped it spread and made it harder to control. Crews have been focusing on hotspots as the weather remains a concern.
Who has been helping on the ground?
Firefighters have been supported by volunteers throughout the operation, and crews from across Scotland have travelled to assist. Local fire stations have also been involved in the response.
Thurso Community Fire Station has been at the site of the wildfire where it burned through woodland.
Comrie Community Fire Station was among the crews from across Scotland to assist in the firefighting effort. Their firefighters came across badly damaged woodland.
Two people involved in the firefighting operation were seen walking across a scorched, smoking hillside at Ryvoan, Abernethy, on 19 July.
What happens next?
Cooler weather and rain are hoped to limit the spread of the flames and help crews make progress against remaining hotspots. RSPB Scotland said the affected habitats should recover, though the timescale remains unknown.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority has described the damage as "apocalyptic", while those involved in the response say the situation is still not fully contained.
Key Facts
- The wildfire has burned for two weeks in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore since Wednesday 15 July.
- About 10 sq miles (25 sq km) of moorland and forestry have been destroyed.
- RSPB Scotland said its Loch Garten reserve at Abernethy has been badly burned and could take weeks to extinguish.
- Dozens of firefighters, volunteers and helicopters are still tackling hotspots.
- The SFRS is due to provide an update later.
