Scottish Fire and Rescue Service firefighters are battling a major wildfire burning across the Cairngorms National Park.
The scale of the blaze has forced the closure of local infrastructure and threatened protected heathland, disrupting tourism and conservation efforts in one of Scotland's most prominent natural landscapes.
The fire broke out late Wednesday morning at the Ryvoan Bothy heathland area near Nethy Bridge. By Thursday morning, the blaze had stretched more than 3.5 km wide [2]. Emergency crews have worked for more than 24 hours [1] to contain the perimeter as the fire moved through the rugged terrain.
Firefighters entered their third consecutive day of operations this week as they worked to suppress the flames [3]. Support for the operation included assistance from police and various land agencies to coordinate the response. The Scottish Government has monitored the situation through minister Neil Gray.
As a precaution, authorities ordered the closure of nearby campsites and the Cairngorms ski resort [4]. These closures were implemented to ensure public safety and provide emergency vehicles unobstructed access to the affected areas. The fire continues to impact the Glenmore Forest Park region, where evacuations were previously considered.
Officials have not yet identified the cause of the ignition. The rugged nature of the heathland has complicated efforts to fully extinguish the fire, requiring sustained deployment of resources across the park.
“The fire stretched more than 3.5 km wide by Thursday morning.”
The rapid spread of this wildfire highlights the vulnerability of Scottish heathlands to extreme fire weather. The closure of a major ski resort and local campsites demonstrates the immediate economic impact such environmental disasters have on the Highlands' tourism-dependent economy.
