Cairngorms wildfire forces evacuations and multi‑day firefighting effort

A wildfire ignited in the heathland at Ryvoan Bothy near Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms National Park late on Wednesday morning. The fire spread across roughly six kilometres, burning about 300 hectares of forest and prompting the evacuation of homes, campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area. Residents were ordered by police to “leave your pets and go”, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) deployed six fire engines, specialist wildfire units, all‑terrain vehicles and water‑bowser equipment. No casualties have been reported.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray said the blaze was contained, but SFRS officials described the incident as “protracted” and warned that wildfire risk remains very high across Scotland due to hot, dry weather. The RSPB confirmed the involvement of 27 staff and volunteers, and a strict cordon remains in place around the affected area. Authorities continue to advise the public to avoid the region and to follow safety instructions while firefighting operations proceed.

The incident follows similar wildfire warnings issued for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland, and highlights concerns over increasing wildfire frequency in the UK summer.