Cairngorm fire: Major incident declared with Nethy Bridge residents being evacuated

A major incident has been declared and more residents in the Cairngorms are being evacuated as a huge wildfire continues to burn.

The Scottish FIre and Rescue Service (SFRS) say due to strengthening winds, residents of Nethy Bridge are being told to leave their homes to ensure the safety of both the community and emergency service operations.

Evacuees are being directed to a respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel, while access roads into Nethy Bridge are shut.

This follows widespread calls to declare a major incident, after hundreds of residents, holidaymakers and businesses in the Glenmore area were evacuated last week.

Police Scotland Superintendent Judy Hill says additional police resources are being deployed to manage evacuations and maintain safety cordons.

She 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"

'It's an extremely complex operational environment'

The wildfire first broke out last Wednesday (July 15th) with more than 500 firefighters and specialist resources sent to the scene since then including helicopters and all-terrain vehicles.

They've been supported by land estate workers, gamekeepers, RSPB rangers and more volunteers to try and control the blaze.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour of the SFRS 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."

Areas around Glenmore, Loch Morlich, and Badaguish, as well as several low-level routes and paths within Abernethy Forest, remain closed with the public urged to avoid them.