Residents urged to keep windows closed as Cairngorms wildfire smoke drifts towards Aviemore

Key Points

Smoke from Cairngorms wildfire blowing into Aviemore
Residents and visitors urged to keep windows and doors shut
Crews continuing to tackle hotspots
Hundreds of trees felled and bulldozed
Businesses in the Cairngorms ‘millions out of pocket’

Residents in Aviemore have been urged to keep windows closed as smoke from the ongoing Cairngorms wildfire travels towards the town.

The advice, issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on Monday, comes after a change in wind direction from the major fire, which was first reported near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, on July 15.

People travelling through the area by car have also been urged to keep their windows and air vents closed.

Residents and businesses in the east of the town, as well as parts of Aberdeenshire including Inverurie, Banchory and Kintore, and even Aberdeen city, have seen or smelled smoke from the blaze in recent weeks.

Fire crews continue to tackle hotspots from the wildfire, which has affected an estimated 25 sq km of land.

Smoke from the wildfire is heading towards Aviemore STV News

The SFRS said: “Due to a change in wind direction, existing smoke from the ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park is now travelling in the direction of Aviemore.

“If you are in Aviemore and can smell smoke, residents and visitors are advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure.

“If you are travelling through the area by car, keep windows and air vents closed.

“Our crews are continuing to work to make the area safe, and we appreciate the support of our partners and the local community.”

‘Scenes of devastation’

Crews have maintained a significant presence at the scene since they were first called on Wednesday, July 15.

Helicopters, landowners, and estate workers on the ground have assisted in targeting hotspots in difficult-to-access locations.

Firefighting operations are continuing in Glenmore and Abernethy, with crews working both on the ground and from the air to tackle the blaze, including areas where fire is burning beneath the surface.

Cairngorms National Park confirmed last Wednesday that multiple hotspots remain.

The SFRS said that improved weather conditions and a targeted effort to tackle the wildfire in key areas has resulted in a reduction in visible flames, but that smouldering areas and burning spots in the ground mean that it “could take months” to fully extinguish because it has become so deep-seated.

Hundreds of trees have been felled as part of the cleanup operation Forestry and Land Scotland/ Peter Jolly via Supplied

Hundreds of trees have been felled and bulldozed as part of the efforts to prevent the wildfire from spreading.

Trees were brought down as part of “immediate action” to create firebreaks – strips of cleared ground to stop the fire spreading – and help protect those working to put it out.

Cairngorms National Park has warned that the impacts of the incident are far-reaching, with businesses in the area millions out of pocket.

Cairngorms Business Partnership has joined a multi-agency recovery group to support businesses and people impacted by the wildfire.

The partnership is supporting 17 businesses affected by the wildfire in the localised Abernethy and Glenmore exclusion zone.