Six fire appliances and about 30 firefighters are continuing to tackle hotspots and “deep-seated” fires at the scene of a wildfire that has been burning for almost three weeks. The incident in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore broke out on 15 July and has burned thousands of acres of moor and woodland.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said its crews were being supported by volunteers and helicopters. Since the incident began more than 500 firefighters have been involved in the operational response, supported by farmers, gamekeepers and RSPB Scotland staff.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (SFRS) said the fire service had given the go-ahead for the Refuel music festival to be held at Badaguish Outdoor Centre on Wednesday.
The park authority said there would be a checkpoint at Coylumbridge, and the event's attendees and staff would be required to show proof of site access or a valid event ticket. It said the wider Glenmore Forest and Loch Morlich area remained a “live incident ground” and was not yet deemed safe for the public.
Earlier on Monday, SFRS asked residents and visitors in Aviemore to keep windows and doors closed after a change in wind direction blew smoke towards the village.
The community of Nethy Bridge has provided meals to people involved in the firefighting operation. SFRS has warned it could be weeks before hotspots and flare-ups were extinguished.
The wildfire has already drawn extensive resources, with hundreds of people involved in the firefighting operation, as crews continue to work across the affected area.
Related background from earlier reporting on the blaze shows how the fire has developed over time. Hot spots remained after the Cairngorms wildfire burned 10 square kilometres, before further efforts to contain it with fire breaks, helicopters and drones were reported in coverage of a flare-up in Abernethy. Heavy rain later offered some hope for crews in reports on the two-week fire, which was later described as an “apocalyptic” blaze that had destroyed about 10 sq miles of moorland and forestry near Aviemore.
“deep-seated” fires
“live incident ground”
“apocalyptic”
What remains at the scene?
Six fire appliances and about 30 firefighters are still at the site dealing with hotspots and “deep-seated” fires. The SFRS said the crews are being supported by volunteers and helicopters as they continue to work on the wildfire near Aviemore.
What happened on 15 July?
The incident in the Cairngorms National Park broke out on 15 July and has burned thousands of acres of moor and woodland. It has now been burning for almost three weeks, and the SFRS has warned it could be weeks before hotspots and flare-ups are extinguished.
How has the response been supported?
More than 500 firefighters have been involved in the operational response since the fire began, with support from farmers, gamekeepers and RSPB Scotland staff. The community of Nethy Bridge has also provided meals to people involved in the firefighting operation.
What access restrictions are in place?
The Cairngorms National Park Authority said the fire service had given the go-ahead for the Refuel music festival at Badaguish Outdoor Centre on Wednesday. However, there will be a checkpoint at Coylumbridge, and attendees and staff must show proof of site access or a valid event ticket.
The wider Glenmore Forest and Loch Morlich area remains a “live incident ground” and is not yet considered safe for the public. Earlier on Monday, SFRS asked residents and visitors in Aviemore to keep windows and doors closed after a change in wind direction blew smoke towards the village.
How has the wildfire developed?
The fire has already featured in earlier reporting as crews dealt with remaining hot spots after it burned 10 square kilometres, then used miles-long fire breaks, helicopters and drones to contain a flare-up in Abernethy. Heavy rain later raised hopes for firefighters, before the blaze was described as an “apocalyptic” scene after destroying about 10 sq miles of moorland and forestry near Aviemore.
Key Facts
- The wildfire broke out on 15 July in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore.
- Six fire appliances and about 30 firefighters are currently at the scene.
- More than 500 firefighters have been involved since the incident began.
- The wider Glenmore Forest and Loch Morlich area remains a “live incident ground”.
- SFRS says it could be weeks before hotspots and flare-ups are extinguished.
