Police Scotland has officially designated a major incident following a shift in weather patterns that has intensified a wildfire burning within the Cairngorms National Park for 10 days. The change in wind direction has accelerated the fire’s progression toward the village of Nethy Bridge, prompting authorities to mandate a full evacuation of the area.
Superintendent Judy Hill noted that the past 24 hours have introduced significant complexities to the operation. Residents are currently being relocated to a respite center at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel, while police have implemented road closures and cordons to assist firefighting efforts. Smoke from the blaze has reached as far as Aberdeen, located 59 miles away.
Over 100 personnel from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) remain on-site, utilizing drones and helicopter water-bombing to combat the flames. While firebreaks have offered some containment, officials describe the situation as highly unpredictable. First Minister John Swinney is monitoring the disaster closely, acknowledging that the incident underscores the growing challenges posed by changing climate conditions.
