Key Points
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Fire started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy on Wednesday morning - Homes, businesses and campsites remain evacuated for safety
- Fire crews and specialist wildfire unit remain at scene
- No reports of casualties
- RSPB call for helicopter support
- Reports of smoke blowing onto A9
The public has been warned to stay away from an area affected by a wildfire in the Cairngorms that is continuing at a “steady pace”.
Fire crews have worked through the night to tackle the fire after it started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, on Wednesday.
Four fire appliances, a specialist wildfire unit and an additional 4×4 vehicle remain at the scene as of Thursday lunchtime.
SFRS via SuppliedAn update from the SFRS said that the blaze is affecting an area of approximately six kilometres and is continuing at a “steady pace” while burning through heather and small trees.
A cordon has been erected and members of the public have been warned not to travel to Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area.
Road closures are in place, and there are reports of smoke blowing onto the A9 carriageway.
A number of homes and businesses remain evacuated for safety, as do campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area.
There have been no reports of any casualties.
Deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin said: “This remains a protracted incident, and I want to thank our firefighters for their continued commitment and determination in challenging conditions.
“I would also like to thank our partner agencies, landowners and local organisations whose support has been invaluable throughout this response.
Supplied“The safety of our communities remains our priority, and we will continue to assess the need for any further evacuations alongside multi-agency partners as the incident progresses.
“The wildfire risk across Scotland remains high. We are asking everyone to follow the advice in place, stay away from the affected area and help reduce the risk of further wildfires while our crews continue their work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
‘Helicopter support critical’
RSPB ScotlandThe fire has burned more than 300 hectares according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which has more than 27 staff working to help contain the fire.
It comes after the fire broke out at the boundary of the Loch Garten nature reserve, which is managed by the charity.
Volunteers are using quad bikes, backpack hoses, pumps, leaf blowers, fire beaters and shovels to dig out smouldering areas.
RSPB ScotlandHowever, the charity has said that the fire is not being supported by helicopters because they are deployed elsewhere in the country.
A spokesman said: “We have no helicopter support, as we believe they are all deployed to England and Wales fighting wildfires down there.
“This is critical and we need it urgently to bring the fire under control.”
STV NewsIt is understood that the fire service believes the incident is “appropriately resourced” for its size, and no aerial support is currently required.
A request for a support helicopter is understood to have been made on Wednesday as a “precautionary measure”, but was not available.
The blaze comes while parts of Scotland are at very high risk of wildfire over the next few days.
The SFRS, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, has issued wildfire warnings for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland.
The alert, warning of a very high risk of wildfire, came into force on Wednesday and lasts until Monday.
It follows days of hot and dry weather in many parts of the country.
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