Firefighters say huge fire breaks are helping to contain a wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park after a major flare-up on Thursday. RSPB Scotland said the situation was "serious" again at its Abernethy reserve, following a change in wind conditions as the blaze entered its 10th day.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said miles-long fire breaks had been created to contain the flames and drones were directing crews to hot spots. 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.
SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys told BBC Radio Scotland there had been progress but the situation remained "dynamic".
Aviemore is very much open for business but we still have an exclusion zone in place around the actual operational incident,
Humphreys said the area affected had been split into two main areas, west and east.
Firefighters and estate workers had cut down trees and vegetation to create a 4km (2.5 miles) fire break on the west side and a 1.9km (1mile) fire break on the east side.
So should a fire flare-up and move towards those areas there is no longer any fuel there to burn, he said.
Teams have been given air support with helicopters waterbombing the area and drones to help identify where the fire is moving.
Despite road closures and police cordons, emergency services have continued to receive reports of visitors attempting to enter the affected area.
Humphreys asked the public to pay attention to signs and follow diversions.
It's absolutely devastating for the local community and the wildlife,
We normally get a very high footfall in that area but please do avoid that area and keep yourself completely safe.
We're continuing to make very good progress but it's still very much an ongoing incident.
RSPB Scotland said that over the last week there had been a "tireless effort" to tackle the blaze.
Unfortunately the fire threat has once again been growing at RSPB Abernethy since yesterday afternoon following a change in weather conditions.
The situation is serious and staff, volunteers and partners are at this time are focused on doing all they can to support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who are co-ordinating the response.
She added that it was too early to understand the impact of the fire on the Caledonian pine forest.
Abernethy is an incredible place for nature, and we are concerned about how wildlife may be faring,
Sandy McCook, chairman of Nethy Community Council, said he had witnessed "major flare-up" on Mam Suim, Craig nan Gall and into Strath Nethy on Thursday evening.
The wind has picked up considerably and turned to a more westerly direction driving the fire eastwards.
Let's hope for a drop in the wind and sufficient rain in the coming days to really make a difference.
The flare-up on Thursday night happened in the Abernethy area.
The Cairngorms National Park covers 1,748 sq miles (4,527 sq km) and includes parts of five local authorities - Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth & Kinross.
Closed and restricted areas include paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish, as well as low-level routes including the Old Logging Way and routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A' Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy or Bynack More.
Paths within Abernethy Forest to the south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy also remain closed.
