Residents evacuated amid fears Highlands wildfire could spread

One evacuated resident said the impact of the fire could be ‘major unless they get hold of it’.

Residents have been evacuated after a large wildfire broke out in the Scottish Highlands, sending large volumes of smoke towards nearby towns.

The wildfire started in heathland at the Cairngorms National Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Four fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources were dispatched to the blaze at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, at about 11.50am on Wednesday.

There are no reported casualties.

Duncan Ferguson lives in Glenmore, a village near Aviemore.

He said police came to his house during the afternoon, telling residents to “leave your pets and go”.

Mr Ferguson, who is operations manager at the Spey Fishery Board, said a nearby campsite had not yet been evacuated.

He said the fire could become severe and affect property unless it was contained quickly, telling the Press Association: “It’s going to be bad, it’s going to be major unless they get hold of it.”

He continued: “It’s heathland at the minute, but it’s started to burn in the upper area of the regeneration of the Caledonian pine forest.

“Once it comes down into there, it’s dry, dry ground, with a real load to burn.

“It’s just going to get hotter and hotter.”

Glenmore Lodge, a nearby outdoors centre, said it was within the evacuation zone and advised travellers to avoid the area.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) told residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities to keep their doors and windows closed.

Group commander Raymond King said: “We are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.

“Operations control were first alerted at 11.49am and we have mobilised four fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources to the area.

“There are no reported casualties.

“Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed.

“If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice.

“While we want people to enjoy the good weather, we ask that anyone in the Cairngorms National Park near to Aviemore and Glenmore avoid the area.

“This part of the Cairngorms National Park is popular with hillwalkers, and we ask that people remain vigilant while active firefighting continues.”

A spokesperson for the Cairngorms National Park Authority said: “The ongoing incident near Ryvoan Bothy is deeply concerning, and we are grateful to all those who are working to tackle the fire.

“We would echo the advice of SFRS to avoid the area while firefighters and partners work to bring this blaze under control.

“This incident – alongside wildfires we are seeing across the UK this week – serves as a stark reminder of the risks that periods of drier, hotter weather can pose.”

Firefighters are also battling a gorse fire at Garry Park Wood at Lochore Meadows Country Park in Fife.

Videos seen on social media showed flames and smoke rising from the park.

The SFRS said they were alerted to the blaze at about 3.15pm on Wednesday, and mobilised one appliance to the scene.

Parts of Scotland are at very high risk of wildfire over the next few days and the fire service has warned people to “stay vigilant” and act responsibly.

The SFRS, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum, had earlier issued wildfire warnings for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland.

The alert, warning of a very high risk of wildfire, is in force from Wednesday until Monday.

It follows days of hot and dry weather in many parts of the country.

The fire service said anyone who sees a large outdoor fire should call 999 immediately, giving the location and any other relevant information.