Local communities close to the Cairngorms National Park were placed on alert on Wednesday after a large wildfire broke out in heathland near Ryvoan Bothy, prompting evacuations and heavy smoke that affected nearby villages.
Emergency response and evacuations
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it was called to the incident at about 11.49am and dispatched four fire appliances together with specialist wildfire teams. There were no reported casualties.
Residents in and around Aviemore, Glenmore and neighbouring communities were advised to keep doors and windows closed because of the volume of smoke. Glenmore Lodge — an outdoor centre close to the scene — said it fell within the evacuation zone and warned visitors to avoid the area.
“We are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park,”
Duncan Ferguson, who lives in Glenmore and works as operations manager at the Spey Fishery Board, described officers attending houses and instructing people to evacuate immediately. He warned that, while the blaze was burning in heathland at the time, fire could spread quickly into areas of regenerating Caledonian pine, where dry ground would create a heavier fuel load.
Risk and local impact
Those living or staying in the area were urged to follow instructions from emergency services and to avoid the zone to allow crews to work. A nearby campsite had not been evacuated immediately, according to local reports, but residents were warned the situation could worsen if the fire reached denser woodland.
- Incident first reported: 11.49am
- Response: 4 fire appliances plus specialist wildfire units
- Areas affected: Aviemore, Glenmore and surroundings
- Advice: keep windows and doors closed; avoid the area
Wildfire behaviour in the Cairngorms can change rapidly in hot, dry conditions, and the presence of regenerating pine stands increases the potential for more intense burning. Local services and community groups are likely to monitor the situation while crews continue suppression efforts.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| About 11.49am | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service alerted and resources mobilised |
| Afternoon | Residents instructed to evacuate; smoke affecting nearby settlements |
People travelling to the area should expect disruption. Visitors with bookings at local accommodation or outdoor centres should contact their providers for updates and follow any directions issued by emergency crews.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor briefings from the SFRS and local authorities and will update readers as further information becomes available.
