A substantial wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park prompted evacuations and urgent safety warnings on Wednesday after flames spread across heathland and began to affect areas of regenerating Caledonian pine. The blaze, which was reported near Ryvoan Bothy at about 11.50am, was described by emergency crews as a "large‑scale" incident and stretched for more than two kilometres at one stage.
Evacuations and local warnings
Police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) advised residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and neighbouring communities to keep their windows and doors closed as heavy smoke moved through populated areas. Some households were asked to leave immediately.
"leave your pets and go"
The instruction to leave came from officers attending properties in the Glenmore area; one local, Duncan Ferguson, said police visited his home in the afternoon relaying that advice. Mr Ferguson, who works as operations manager at the Spey Fishery Board, warned the fire could escalate unless contained quickly, noting the risk to property once flames enter the denser, drier pine regeneration.
Firefighting effort and immediate risks
At least six fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources were deployed to tackle the blaze, with crews creating fire breaks and focusing on preventing the fire moving from open heath into woodland. SFRS described the incident as having a "large fire front" and said crews were working tirelessly to bring it under control.
- Location: Heathland near Ryvoan Bothy, close to Nethy Bridge and Glenmore
- Reported start time: about 11.50am on Wednesday
- Resources: multiple fire appliances and specialist wildfire teams
- Public advice: keep doors and windows closed; avoid the area
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Approximate width of fire | More than 2 km |
| Nearby communities affected | Aviemore, Glenmore, Nethy Bridge |
| Evacuations | Residents and some facilities within evacuation zone |
Glenmore Lodge, a nearby outdoor centre, acknowledged it fell within the evacuation zone and advised travellers to avoid the area. Local accounts said a campsite close by had not been evacuated at the time of reporting.
The combination of dry ground in the woodland regeneration and rising temperatures raised concerns among residents and responders. Mr Ferguson said: "It's going to be bad, it's going to be major unless they get hold of it." Fire crews continued to focus on containment lines to prevent the fire reaching heavier fuels where it could intensify.
This remains a fluid situation. Local residents should follow updates from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and police, and heed any evacuation notices or air quality advice as the response continues.
