A large wildfire has ignited in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, with emergency services battling the blaze in the Cairngorms National Park. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) dispatched six fire engines and specialised wildfire teams to the scene near Ryvoan Bothy at approximately 11:50 GMT. The intense smoke plume has led to residents in nearby communities, including Aviemore and Glenmore, being advised to keep their windows and doors shut.
The fire's location is particularly sensitive, situated on the southern boundary of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) owned Loch Garten Nature Reserve in Abernethy. The RSPB has deployed all available staff to assist, noting that while the fire poses no immediate threat to ospreys located six miles away, there are concerns for the endangered capercaillie, a large woodland grouse, known to inhabit the Ryvoan area. The capercaillie, a native species, has been the focus of an emergency Scottish Government plan earlier this year to boost its numbers in the Cairngorms.
SFRS Group Commander Raymond King confirmed there were no reported casualties but reiterated the advice for local residents to close windows and doors if they can see or smell smoke. He also urged hillwalkers and the general public to avoid the affected area in the Cairngorms National Park while active firefighting operations continue. The front of the fire is estimated to extend for roughly 1km and is currently moving south onto land owned by Forest and Land Scotland.
Support for the firefighting efforts is extensive, with colleagues from neighbouring Wildland Ltd and Rothiemurchas Estates deploying fogging units on all-terrain vehicles and additional water pumps. Further assistance is either present or en route from other estates including Dorback, Moray, Seafield, and Kinveachy. The RSPB is also seeking approval from the SFRS to deploy a private helicopter for aerial assessment, noting that other helicopters are currently engaged in fighting fires south of the border in England.
This incident occurs amid a 'very high' wildfire risk warning issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildlife Forum for the central Highlands, southern, and eastern Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park Authority described the fire as 'deeply concerning,' highlighting it as a stark reminder of the risks posed by periods of dry, hot weather, mirroring other wildfires seen across the UK this week.