Police Scotland has declared a major incident as emergency services continue to tackle a wildfire that has been burning in the Cairngorms National Park for 10 days. The force said the move followed “a significant change in weather conditions” that has increased the risk of the fire spreading towards the village of Nethy Bridge.
All Nethy Bridge residents have been evacuated so emergency services can continue their response. Smoke from the wildfire can now be seen 59 miles away in Aberdeen after a change in wind direction.
Supt Judy Hill said:
“The weather conditions experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation.
“With evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, the decision has been taken to declare a major incident and evacuate residents as a precaution.
“Additional police resources are being deployed to assist in contacting those who need to leave their properties and to maintain cordons around restricted areas while our fire service colleagues continue to tackle the wildfire.”
A Police Scotland statement said Nethy Bridge residents were being directed to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel, and access roads into Nethy Bridge had been closed.
More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the blaze, which first broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, last Wednesday. Eleven fire engines, wildlife units and a command support unit are still at the scene.
How are firefighters containing the blaze?
Firefighters said miles-long firebreaks had helped contain the latest break-outs on Thursday night, while drones were directing crews to hot spots. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the fire remained “dynamic and unpredictable”.
A spokesman said:
“Changing wind strength and direction can cause flare-ups, reignition and the spread of smoke, with conditions continuing to evolve.
“Firefighters remain deployed to tackle 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.”
Where else could smoke be seen?
The SFRS had previously said 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, may see or smell smoke on Friday and into the weekend.
Highland wildfire smoke was also reported blowing into Aberdeen, 59 miles away, as the wind shifted.
What has the First Minister said?
First Minister John Swinney told BBC Scotland News he was keeping the fire “under very close review” and was speaking to the fire service as things develop.
He said some of the measures put in place, such as firebreaks, were under “significant pressure” as a result of changing weather conditions.
“We will be undertaking a review of this incident because it's an illustration... that the climate is creating different circumstances for us to manage and we've got to be confident we've got the resources in place,”
The wildfire has prompted a series of warnings and updates, including earlier references to a flare-up on Thursday night, “significant hot spots” remaining at the Cairngorms wildfire, and calls for people to stay away from the area.
