A significant wildfire continues to burn in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, entering its seventh day, while questions arise about the adequacy of resources, particularly firefighting helicopters, to combat such incidents.
Local community council member Sandy McCook voiced criticism, stating that lessons from previous wildfires, such as the one at Dava Moor, have not been learned. "It is untenable the position they are taking that they have enough equipment. It is helicopters that are needed," McCook said. He urged the Scottish government to ensure sufficient resources are available.
Andrew Baxter, a Liberal Democrat Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), has raised the issue with Justice Secretary Neil Gray. Baxter suggested that both the Scottish and UK governments should consider utilizing publicly available firefighting aircraft during wildfire seasons instead of solely relying on private operators. "At the moment it takes too long to get support to where it is needed," he stated, warning of potential loss of life without a robust fire plan and readily available aircraft.
In response, Justice Secretary Neil Gray told the BBC that fire chiefs had assured him they had access to "all the resources needed" to contain the Cairngorms blaze. He also indicated a willingness to discuss "requests and innovations" regarding the growing threat of wildfires with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Gray expressed pride in the efforts of the responding officers.
The ongoing wildfire underscores concerns about the preparedness for increasingly severe fire conditions, with the effectiveness and availability of aerial firefighting assets becoming a focal point of discussion. The use of helicopters is crucial for rapidly deploying water or retardant to remote and difficult-to-access areas affected by wildfires, as demonstrated in efforts to contain the current blaze in the Cairngorms. Firefighters are also utilizing other equipment, including ATVs, to manage the situation on the ground. 
