Neil Gray said the firefighter response has left the Cairngorms National Park blaze “currently contained” after it burned for more than 24 hours and spread from Ryvoan Bothy at Nethy Bridge. The fire broke out at about 11:50 on Wednesday and moved across more than two miles of dry land.
RSPB said approximately 300 hectares have burned so far. Nearby villages and campsites were evacuated while the fire spread, and a very high wildfire risk remains in place for the central Highlands, southern Scotland and eastern Scotland.
Neil Gray and the response
Gray praised the work of firefighters and said police, land managers and volunteers did an “outstanding job” keeping “people, property and the natural environment safe”. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said six fire engines, a specialist wildfire unit and a 4x4 vehicle were still at the scene.
The containment brings the incident into a new phase. The land has already been burned, the response remains active, and the current focus is on holding the line while crews stay in place at the scene.
Andrew Baxter on fire planning
Andrew Baxter said landowners and local groups have been calling for a new fire plan for the area. Speaking to Lunchtime Live on Radio Scotland, he said, “It is something I’ve been discussing with local landowners and other groups in the area”.
He also said, “We risk seeing serious loss of life unless we have a robust fire plan with aircraft that can be called upon at short notice, he said.” He added, “I will be pressing the Scottish government about this, particularly concerns from landowners about access to helicopters that could help tackle these wildfires.”
The blaze is contained, but the very high risk level means the same dry conditions that helped it spread can still support another fire in the area. The practical next step for people nearby is to keep clear of the scene and treat the wider area as high-risk until the wildfire warning changes.
