Entire Cairngorms village evacuated as raging wildfire nears

Scottish first minister thanks Nethy Bridge residents and aid workers after earlier requesting UK military aid to fight 10-day fire

Residents of Nethy Bridge have been told they can return to their homes after a large fire broke out in the Cairngorms national park.

Supt Judy Hill of Police Scotland said: “Thanks to the efforts of fire crews, gamekeepers, contractors, partners and many others over the past 24 hours, there is no longer the immediate threat which prompted the evacuation of properties in Nethy Bridge.

“We are grateful to the community for their support and understanding in what has been a period of concern and disruption.”

Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, welcomed the news, saying: “Efforts to tackle the wildfire in the Cairngorms are in their 10th day, and changeable weather conditions have presented a range of challenges for those on the ground. I praise their resilience and tireless efforts to bring it under control.

“With residents in Nethy Bridge now able to return to their homes, Police Scotland have lifted the major incident declaration.

“I want to stress, however, that the Scottish government, the emergency services and all relevant authorities will continue to treat this wildfire, as has been the case since its onset, with the utmost seriousness and necessary resources until the last flames are out.”

Earlier in the day Swinney had asked for military aid from the UK government as more than 500 firefighters alongside specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopter water-bombing operations and partner agencies tackled the fire that had raged in the Cairngorms national park for the past 10 days and forced the evacuation of homes in the remote region.

Residents of Nethy Bridge were taken to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore hotel. Access roads were closed amid fears the fire was heading for the village. Just before 11pm on Saturday residents were told they could return home.

Swinney had said earlier in the day that changing wind conditions had “intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire, adding that the Scottish fire and rescue service (SFRS) was focusing its resources on creating a firebreak.

The wildfire, which broke out near the village of Glenmore on 15 July, led to residents and campsites being evacuated. It covered an area of about 6 sq km (2.3 sq miles) of heather and small trees at its height and its smoke drifted as far as Aberdeen, about 60 miles (97km) from where the fire started.

Claire Montague, 65, a retired GP, and her family were evacuated from their home on Friday.

She said: “We could see the smoke rising and when the wind changed direction we could see the flames – it was pretty scary and felt pretty close although it was still a few kilometres away.

“We could see lots of smoke today when we popped back home, masses coming from a very large area. It is not contained by any means.

“It was absolutely terrifying, nothing like I’ve felt before. The Dava Moor fire last summer was farther away from us.

“Thankfully they have managed to put in a firebreak.”

Montague added: “Where the fire started is the original area of the Caledonian forest, a desperately important ecosystem, which they were trying very hard to preserve and expand.

“The whole land had to be bulldozed for the firebreak, which is desperately sad.”

Senior emergency service officials said that firefighters “continue to work across a vast and challenging landscape alongside Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms national park authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and emergency service partners. Their expertise, local knowledge and support have been instrumental in helping crews respond to this complex and dynamic incident.”

On Saturday, the SFRA warned residents in Tomintoul – about 10 miles (16km) to the east of Nethy Bridge – to keep windows and doors closed because of the smoke from the wildfire.