The Cairngorms wild fire is being “surrounded” with services hoping residents “can get back to their properties today”. 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. 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 as well as a helicopter water-bombing above the blaze. It is understood no one has been hurt.
View 4 ImagesResidents have been evacuated from their homes(Image: Peter Jolly)
The service confirmed today the blaze is now largely surrounded. The operation is far from over, but there is is growing optimism the combined efforts of fire crews, gamekeepers and estate workers has made an impact.
It is hoped local residents and campers impacted by the exclusion zone will be able to gain access to their property and possessions later today, although roadblocks will remain in place for the time being.
Gavin Miles, Director of Planning and Place at the Park Authority, said: “News from Glenmore this morning is very encouraging, with colleagues from SFRS indicating that the fire is now largely surrounded. This is, though, still a live situation and teams are still very active on the ground, so we are taking nothing for granted at this stage.
View 4 ImagesThere has been further positive news overnight from the scene in Glenmore(Image: Park Authority drone pilot)
“The Ski Road and surrounding areas are likely to be off-limits for some time to come given the sheer number of people and machinery on-site, but we’re hopeful that residents and campers directly impacted by the exclusion zone will be able to gain access later today.
“We’re really grateful for the continued efforts of everyone helping fight the fire in Glenmore, and for the cooperation of local residents, visitors and businesses at what I know is a very difficult time.”
Miles previously stressed that the “big operation” that’s been coordinated at a national level to tackle the wildfire “is extremely tough work in incredibly tough conditions”.
View 4 ImagesFirefighters are spending a fourth day tackling the major wildfire which started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy(Image: RSPB Scotland/PA Wire )
A sizeable fire-fighting presence remains on the ground, with teams continuing to monitor both eastern and western flanks of the fire and maintain the integrity of existing firebreaks to prevent further spread.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said on Friday it has been a “very distressing, concerning and challenging time” in the mountain range.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said he met with senior officers from the fire service on Friday morning to receive the latest update on the wildfire. He insisted the Scottish Government is monitoring the situation “closely”.
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