Cairngorms wildfire: Aviemore no longer in ‘immediately affected area’

Aviemore is “no longer in the immediately affected area” of the Cairngorms wildfire operations as crews spend a fourth day at the scene.The fire started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and spread to cover an area of around six kilometres by Thursday afternoon.A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution.In a social media post late on Friday evening Gavin Miles, director of planning and place at Cairngorms National Park, said crews had “made some really good progress” tackling the wildfire.He said: “This is extremely tough work in incredibly tough conditions.“So we’re really grateful for all the work they’ve done, and they’ve made some really good progress today.“There have been two helicopters, nine appliances, and a range of other specialist equipment on site today, working on the fire.“This is a big operation that’s been coordinated at a national level.”An estimated four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) of ground have been burnt by the fire.A helicopter is also carrying out water-bombing operations above the blaze.A helicopter has now been deployed to drop water on the flames (Nick Forbes/PA)PA WireThere have been no reports of any casualties.Mr Miles said that Aviemore is no longer in the “immediately affected area” but warned people against accessing the Central Cairngorm Mountains over the weekend.He continued: “The latest update from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service indicates that Aviemore is no longer in the immediately affected area at this point in time.“Businesses in the Aviemore area are open and ready to welcome visitors, who I know will be keen to return to this special place.Read More“Having said that, people should be aware that a strong northerly wind has blown smoke south over the Central Cairngorm Mountains.“Those hills are shrouded in a thick layer of smoke, which could get thicker over the weekend.“I recommend that people think very carefully before trying to access the Central Cairngorm Mountains this weekend for walking, cycling, or climbing, because of the thick smoke and a potential risk to their health and safety, as well as the fact that the emergency services are already busy.”Mr Miles said the park still did not know what started the fire or the extent of the damage so far.A helicopter carrying water tackles the wildfire burning near Nethy Bridge in Cairngorms National Park in north-east Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA)PA WireFirefighters say they are facing a “protracted incident” as they seek to prevent the flames spreading to other areas, but they insisted they have “adequate resources” to deal with the incident.They are pumping water from Loch Morlich to support firefighting operations, and are working alongside landowners and partner agencies to establish firebreaks and contain the spread of the fire.Area commander Lynne Gow said the use of a helicopter is helping limit the spread of the blaze.“The deployment of a helicopter provides an additional operational capability which can be particularly effective across challenging terrain and in areas that are difficult to access,” she said.“Aerial support complements the extensive work already being undertaken by firefighters and partner agencies on the ground and enhances our ability to limit the spread of fire where conditions allow, as we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said on Friday it has been a “very distressing and challenging time” in the Cairngorms.She said: “As I understand it, the fire is currently contained. SFRS are keeping that matter under control at the current time.“Ministers are receiving regular updates. The Justice Secretary is leading on that matter. I’ve been receiving updates as well, it’s a very concerning time.“The authorities, as I understand it at the current time, have the fire relatively controlled.The fire has spread across a large area of Cairngorms National Park (RSPB Scotland/PA)PA Media“They’re monitoring it at all times, and ministers are receiving regular and routine updates in relation to the fire at the front.”Justice Secretary Neil Gray, who has responsibility for resilience within his portfolio, said on Friday: “This morning I met with senior officers from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to receive the latest update on the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park.“I want to thank everyone involved in tackling this incident for their exceptional dedication and hard work.“That includes SFRS crews, Police Scotland, land managers, volunteers and all partner agencies who are working together to keep people, property and our natural environment as safe as possible.“The Scottish Government is monitoring the situation closely.”The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said around 300 hectares of land have been burnt so far.The charity said 27 of its staff and volunteers were out helping fight the blaze earlier in the week, using equipment including all-terrain vehicles with water bowsers, backpack hoses and shovels.A strict cordon remains in place and people have been warned not to travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing.The fire spread to cover a six kilometre area (Andrew Milligan/PA)PA WireThe fire service, 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.Elsewhere, firefighters have tackled a wildfire at Fauldhouse Moor in West Lothian.They were called to the scene at 5.52pm on Thursday and four fire engines remained on site on Friday afternoon.Firefighters were also tackling a blaze at Tentsmuir Forest in Fife, where three fire engines were sent to the scene when the alarm was raised at 12.50pm on Friday.There have been no reports of any casualties at the incidents.The RSPB said it is “worried” about the habitats of many of the native birds that live in the area.The blaze broke out on Wednesday (RSPB Scotland/PA)PA MediaA spokesperson said: “While we won’t know the full impact of the fire until it is out, we are very worried about the impact on young Scots pine and broadleaved trees from areas of natural regeneration and planting as well as impacts on invertebrates, reptiles, mammals and birds.“The fire is currently being fought on two fronts – one where it has moved into Forestry Land Scotland at Glenmore and the other on our nature reserve.“There is a huge community effort to halt the spread and extinguish it, with gamekeepers and other staff from neighbouring estates, multiple partner organisations, our volunteers and community volunteers all working alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.“We are also incredibly grateful for the support from local businesses and individuals who have helped provide supplies for those on the front line.“The Loch Garten Nature Centre remains closed, and we would ask everyone to adhere to the requests from the SFRS including not to travel to the area.”The C7 road, known locally as Ski Road, remains closed at Coylumbridge.A number of properties and premises in the Glenmore area were evacuated as a precaution and people are being asked to avoid Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich areas.Police Scotland has asked motorists and travellers in the area to check their journeys before travelling.The force also asked residents to keep windows shut and to call NHS24 if they are concerned about symptoms.