A wildfire that ignited in heathland near Nethy Bridge in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park on July 15 has spread across more than 3.5 kilometres, burning an estimated 300 hectares and forcing the evacuation of villagers, campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area. The blaze, which began near Ryvoan Bothy late morning, was declared contained on July 16 by Justice Secretary Neil Gray.
Six fire engines and specialist resources remained at the scene on the morning of July 17, with the C7 Ski Road closed. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service advised residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and surrounding communities to keep doors and windows closed. No casualties have been reported.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds staff deployed to the scene, as the fire reached the southern boundary of the Loch Garten Nature Reserve, a habitat where capercaillie were spotted as recently as May. Authorities warn that very high wildfire risk persists across the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland until July 20.