Police Scotland has declared a major incident after a worsening wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park forced the precautionary evacuation of all residents in Nethy Bridge on Friday.
Emergency services took the decision after strengthening winds caused the fire to behave more unpredictably, with evidence suggesting it was spreading towards the village.
Residents are being directed to a respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort while police officers carry out door to door notifications and maintain road closures around the area.
Access roads into Nethy Bridge have been closed to allow emergency services to continue their response safely.
Superintendent Judy Hill of Police Scotland said:
“The weather conditions experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation.
“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.
“Additional police resources are being deployed to assist in contacting those who need to leave their properties and to maintain cordons around restricted areas while our fire service colleagues continue to tackle the wildfire.
“We understand this is a very concerning time for residents, businesses and visitors to the Cairngorms region.
“Please be assured that the multi agency response remains fully committed to bringing this incident to a safe conclusion as quickly as possible.”
The wildfire was first reported on Wednesday 15 July and has now entered its tenth day, with more than 500 firefighters mobilised since the incident began.
Specialist wildfire appliances, all terrain vehicles, helicopter water bombing operations and support from partner agencies have all been deployed as crews continue tackling the fire across difficult and often inaccessible terrain.
Firefighters are working alongside Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, estate gamekeepers, landowners and other emergency service partners as efforts continue to protect communities and the surrounding environment.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour said:
“Our firefighters, specialist resources and partners have worked tirelessly over the past nine days to respond to this challenging and complex wildfire incident.
“The combination of prolonged dry conditions, strengthening winds and challenging terrain has created an extremely complex operational environment.
“Large areas of the fire ground are inaccessible by vehicle or on foot, making helicopter water bombing operations and specialist wildfire tactics essential to our response.
“Throughout this incident, partnership working has been fundamental.
“I would like to thank Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and our emergency service partners, whose expertise, local knowledge and continued support have been invaluable in helping us protect communities and the natural environment.
“More than 500 firefighters have been mobilised since the incident began, supported by specialist wildfire appliances, all terrain vehicles, helicopters and partner agencies.
“We will continue to maintain a significant operational response for as long as it is required.
“We recognise this is an extremely worrying time for those affected, particularly residents who have been asked to leave their homes.
“Public safety remains our absolute priority, and we ask everyone to continue following the advice of Police Scotland and to stay away from the affected areas while firefighting operations remain ongoing.”
Members of the public are being urged to stay away from the affected areas within the Cairngorms National Park while firefighting operations continue.
A number of routes remain closed, including paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish, the Old Logging Way, routes to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch, Strath Nethy and Bynack More, together with paths through Abernethy Forest south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy.
Emergency services say further updates will be issued as the situation develops.
