Police Scotland has declared a major incident in response to a wildfire that has been burning for 10 days within the Cairngorms National Park. The declaration came after a significant change in weather conditions, including a shift in wind direction on Thursday night, which caused a flare-up and substantially increased the risk of the fire spreading towards the village of Nethy Bridge.
As a direct consequence of the escalating threat, all residents of Nethy Bridge have been evacuated. Police Scotland confirmed that those displaced are being directed to a dedicated respite centre located at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel. Furthermore, access roads leading into Nethy Bridge have been closed to ensure the safety of the public and to facilitate the ongoing operations of emergency services.
First Minister John Swinney addressed the situation, stating that "all resources that can be deployed are being deployed" to combat the extensive blaze. However, the response has drawn criticism from local residents. John McGlinchey, a Nethy Bridge resident, expressed disappointment, telling reporters that he felt the wildfire should have been declared a major incident sooner.
He also described the communication from authorities as "pretty poor." McGlinchey highlighted significant concerns regarding the mobilization of the many elderly and disabled individuals within the village.
He added that the "last-minute" evacuation call would likely force many residents to incur out-of-pocket expenses for accommodation, attributing this to a perceived lack of contingency plans from the government.
Superintendent Judy Hill of Police Scotland acknowledged the growing complexity of the situation. She stated that weather conditions "experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation." Hill further elaborated, "With evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, the decision has been taken to declare a major incident and evacuate residents as a precaution." She confirmed that additional police resources are being deployed to assist in contacting residents who need to leave their properties.
The wildfire, which initially broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, last Wednesday, continues to be a formidable challenge for emergency crews. More than 100 firefighters are actively engaged in tackling the blaze. Currently, eleven fire engines, specialized wildlife units, and a command support unit remain at the scene. Despite these efforts, new pockets of fire are still emerging within the national park, indicating the dynamic nature of the incident.
First Minister John Swinney also announced that "A new fire break is being created with the aim of stopping the progress of the fire." The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has characterized the fire as remaining "dynamic and unpredictable." A spokesman for the SFRS explained that "Changing wind strength and direction can cause flare-ups, reignition and the spread of smoke, with conditions continuing to evolve." Firefighters are deployed across a "vast and complex landscape," with their efforts significantly bolstered by ongoing helicopter water-bombing operations.
The change in wind direction has also had a widespread impact on air quality, with smoke from the wildfire now visible as far as Aberdeen, approximately 59 miles away. The SFRS had previously issued advice to residents and businesses in the east area of Aviemore, as well as across parts of Aberdeenshire—including Inverurie, Banchory, and Kintore and surrounding areas—and Aberdeen city.
They advised that these areas might experience visible smoke or smell smoke on Friday and into the weekend, recommending that affected individuals keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
