The Cairngorms wildfire is “still spreading” and “burning hard” on the fourth day of the blaze. The fire poses a “risk” to public health and safety over the weekend in what continues to be a “challenging and distressing” time for the park.
The major inferno erupted 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 precaution.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said on Friday it has been a “very distressing, concerning and challenging time” in the mountain range. Two helicopters, nine appliances, and a range of other specialist equipment were on site working on the fire yesterday according to Gavin Miles, director of planning and place at Cairngorms National Park, on Friday.
View 4 ImagesThe wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park(Image: RSPB Scotland/PA Wire)
He stressed the “big operation” that’s been coordinated at a national level to tackle the wildfire “is extremely tough work in incredibly tough conditions”. Speaking to the BBC. Sandy McCook, chairman of Nethy Bridge community council, criticised Justice Secretary Neil Gray, who said the fire was “currently contained” on Thursday, before the response was scaled up a day later.
Sandy told BBC Radio Scotland: “For Neil Gray to say the fire is contained is rubbish. They will not listen to local experts, gamekeepers, ghillies, farmers. People think contained means it is virtually out.
“It is still spreading, it is still burning hard, there are people’s live and homes at great risk. Wildlife and landscape is being destroyed.”
View 4 ImagesThe wildfire continued burning overnight creating an orange glow around parts of the Cairngorms(Image: Mark Back Corries)
Mr Gray said he met with senior officers from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on Friday morning to receive the latest update on the wildfire. He insisted the Scottish Government is monitoring the situation “closely”.
An estimated four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) of ground have been burnt by the fire. On Saturday the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said nine fire appliances and specialist resources are still at the scene.
A helicopter is also carrying out water-bombing operations above the blaze. It is believed no one has been hurt.
Miles said Aviemore is no longer in the “immediately affected area” but warned people against accessing the Central Cairngorm Mountains over the weekend.
He added: “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.
“People should think very carefully before trying to access the Central Cairngorm Mountains this weekend because of the thick smoke and a potential risk to their health and safety, as well as emergency services already being busy.”
The park still doesn’t know what started the fire or the extent of the damage so far. The fire service has issued wildfire warnings for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland.
View 4 ImagesResidents have been evacuated from their homes(Image: Peter Jolly)
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.
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. The C7 road, known locally as Ski Road, remains closed at Coylumbridge.
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.
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