A major incident has been declared in the Cairngorms after a rapidly spreading wildfire forced the precautionary evacuation of Nethy Bridge as emergency services battled deteriorating conditions.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) met on Friday evening, chaired by First Minister John Swinney, after Police Scotland declared the major incident amid concerns the blaze was moving towards the village.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, justice secretary Neil Gray and other ministers and emergency partners.
Residents have been evacuated as a precaution and directed to a respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel, while police closed access roads into Nethy Bridge and deployed additional officers to assist vulnerable residents and maintain cordons.
Mr Swinney described the situation as “very serious”, saying changing wind conditions had significantly increased the wildfire’s rate of spread.
“My thoughts are with residents and businesses in Nethy Bridge during this hugely concerning and anxious time,” he said.
He thanked emergency services for their efforts since the fire was first reported last Wednesday and urged the public to avoid affected areas and follow advice issued by emergency services and transport authorities.
Earlier, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands Tim Eagle said the government’s response needed to reflect the seriousness of the situation.
“It’s unbelievable that the Scottish Government has failed to declare a major incident themselves after Police Scotland’s announcement of one, with the decision to evacuate all Nethy Bridge residents from their homes.
“The scale of the Scottish Government’s response should match the gravity of the situation, which Police Scotland is hugely concerned about.
“We are now well beyond the initial emergency, which is why the military must be mobilised as a matter of urgency to help control this devastating fire.
“Those fighting these fires on the frontline will be tired and at breaking point, while distraught Nethy Bridge residents are fearful of the flames sweeping towards their homes."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warned the wildfire remains “dynamic and unpredictable”, with changing wind strength and direction creating the risk of flare-ups, reignition and further smoke spread.
More than 100 firefighters remain at the scene, supported by 11 fire engines, specialist wildfire units, a command support unit and helicopter water-bombing operations. Fire crews have also used miles-long firebreaks and drone technology to identify hotspots and limit the fire’s advance across the challenging terrain.
Superintendent Judy Hill of Police Scotland said worsening weather conditions had added “further complexities” to the incident and evidence suggested the fire was spreading towards Nethy Bridge, prompting the decision to evacuate residents.
Smoke from the wildfire has affected a wide area of north-east Scotland. The SFRS said people living in eastern Aviemore and across parts of Aberdeenshire, including Inverurie, Banchory and Kintore, as well as Aberdeen, could continue to see or smell smoke through Friday and into the weekend.
Residents in affected areas have been advised to keep windows and doors closed.
The Scottish Government said SGORR will meet again as the emergency response continues and authorities monitor the evolving situation.
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