Cairngorms wildfire enters 13th day as crews work to limit spread

Emergency services continue to battle a wildfire in the Cairngorms into its 13th day.

The Cairngorms National Park said colder, damp weather overnight into Monday helped efforts to suppress the wildfire, but “another long day of firefighting” lies ahead.

Weather conditions over the weekend helped slow fire behaviour and limit further spread, allowing “targeted and aggressive” firefighting activity.

Over 75 firefighters, nine fire engines and additional specialist resources remain on the scene, supported by three helicopters water-bombing affected areas.

Fire crews have been working with partners and volunteers with heavy machinery at the north edge of the fire to prevent further spread, particularly in both Nethy Bridge and Tomintoul.

Helicopter carries water to help douse the wildfire in the Cairngorms. Cairngorms National Park

The UK Government has offered military support to tackle the wildfire, following a request by Scotland’s justice secretary, Neil Gray.

Douglas Alexander, the Scottish secretary, said that specialist resources will be made available upon request, including Chinook helicopters for logistical and heavy-lift capacity and support from UK stand-by battalions.

However, John Swinney has since said the offer was not necessary.

Gray said on Monday that assurances have been given that the emergency services have “all resources necessary” throughout the wildfire incident.

Devastation left by the wildfire in the Cairngorms RSPB Scotland

The First Minister said the Scottish Government had requested aerial support to drop water on the fire, but was told that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) did not have such equipment.

A major incident was declared by Police Scotland on Friday as a result of a change in weather conditions, which caused an immediate risk to the Nethy Bridge community.

Residents were forced to evacuate to a respite centre at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort, and access roads into Nethy Bridge were closed.

The major incident was stood down on Saturday, and residents were able to return home.

More than 500 firefighters and staff from partners and community volunteers have been actively involved in or supported the response since the incident began on July 15.

The public is being urged to avoid the affected areas.

Deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour said: “I want to reassure everyone affected by this prolonged incident that we are still fully committed with the appropriate resourcing in place as we work to protect the community.

“This is still very much a large, multi-agency response with partners, volunteers and the community pulling together to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

“We intend to take advantage of the positive weather conditions to aggressively fight this fire in key areas, particularly in the North end of the incident ground to make an impact while the conditions allow.

“However, we are not complacent; SFRS staff and partners remain vigilant across all areas of the incident ground to monitor for any flare-up.”

DACO Barbour said he expects there to be “significant resources” to remain in the area into this week.

The very high risk of wildfires ended on July 25.