Wildfire still burning across four miles as helicopter waterbombs Cairngorms

ByCatherine Lyst

BBC Scotland

Firefighters are spending a third day tackling a major wildfire which has led to evacuations in the Cairngorms.

The blaze started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and had spread across 3.7 miles (6km) by Thursday afternoon.

A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution.

A helicopter joined the firefighting efforts on Thursday night. Nine fire appliances and specialist resources remained at the scene on Friday morning.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it was facing a "protracted incident" as it sought to prevent the flames spreading to other areas, but added that it had "adequate resources" to deal with the incident.

Along with landowners, fire crews have been creating fire breaks to contain the spread.

Michael Byrne, a climate scientist at St Andrews University, told the BBC that more rainfall during the winter plus overall warming was leading to an increasing threat of wildfires in Scotland.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Neil Gray, whose ministerial responsibilities include the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said the fire was "currently contained" thanks to "exceptional work of firefighters".

There have been no reports of any casualties.

A number of people in the local community had been calling for a helicopter to be brought in.

The SFRS said there had been a request for a helicopter on Wednesday but none were available at the time.

A helicopter has since been waterbombing the area.

The SFRS has said the fire is still burning with flames continuing at a steady pace.

Lynne Gow, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) area commander based in the Highlands, said the service had adequate resources in place.

"We're absolutely certain of our practical plan here," she said.

The RSPB said approximately 300 hectares of land have been burned so far.

The charity said 27 of its staff and volunteers were out helping fight the blaze earlier in the week, using equipment including all-terrain vehicles with water bowsers, backpack hoses and shovels.

A strict cordon remains in place and people have been warned not to travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing.

SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin said: "I want to thank our firefighters for their continued commitment and determination in challenging conditions.

"The safety of our communities remains our priority, and we will continue to assess the need for any further evacuations alongside multi-agency partners as the incident progresses."

Neil Gray also praised police, land managers and volunteers for "an outstanding job keeping people, property and the natural environment as safe as possible".

He said: "I ask everyone in the affected area to continue following advice from the authorities.

"Public safety is the priority, which is why the decision to evacuate a campsite and various properties has been taken as a precautionary measure."

There had been concerns for capercaillie - large woodland grouse - that have recently been spotted around Ryvoan.

The native species became extinct in Britain in the mid-18th Century but were reintroduced in Perthshire in 1837. Earlier this year, the National Park and NatureScot announced an emergency plan to boost numbers in the Cairngorms.

A visitor centre which runs guided trips to see free-ranging reindeer in the area confirmed on Thursday that the animals were safe. The centre said staff had been evacuated and would not be running trips until further notice.

Parts of Scotland are at very high risk of wildfire over the next few days.

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

The alert came into force on Wednesday and lasts until Monday.

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

SFRS wildfire tactical adviser Kevin Dingwall urged the public to take "simple steps" to prevent fires from starting.

He said: "Hot, dry conditions increase the risk of wildfire across Scotland. Even if a warning is not in place where you live, we ask everyone to stay vigilant.

"Wildfires can destroy property, landscapes and wildlife. That's why it's so important that everyone takes extra care during these conditions."

Earlier this week, the Met Office released a report on the UK's climate, which said that weather once considered extreme was becoming the "new normal".

Scientists say that the country's climate is "on the move" as northern areas of Britain now see warmer temperatures that used to only affect southern England.

Michael Byrne, a climate scientist at St Andrews University, told the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast the fire followed on from Scotland's first 'megafire' which destroyed a vast area of moorland last year.

The fire on Dava Moor, around Grantown-on-Spey and Forres, started on 28 June and burned for four days. It is thought it destroyed as much land as typically burns across the UK in an entire year.

"What we see on the global scale is an increasing burned area associated with wildfires which has a strong fingerprint of climate change," he said.

"In Scotland we are seeing more rainfall during the winter and milder temperatures which are great conditions for growing lots of vegetation. When that vegetation dies there's now more of it in a warming climate so there's more to burn."

He said Scotland had warmed more than one degree since pre-industrial times.

"That warmer air sucks more moisture out of dead vegetation making that vegetation much more flammable."

If you see a large outdoor fire, call 999 immediately. Give the location and any other relevant information so fire crews can respond quickly.