Residents in a Highland village have voiced anger and frustration over evacuation orders issued during an 11-day wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park. The blaze, which has affected 600 hectares, prompted Police Scotland to declare a major incident and order evacuations in Nethy Bridge on Friday, though residents have since been permitted to return.
More than 500 firefighters, supported by helicopter water-bombers, have been involved in tackling the wildfire. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the fire as a 'major and serious' threat on Saturday afternoon, while noting an 'improved picture.'
Sandy McCook, chairman of the Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council, stated that residents felt "completely let down by the Scottish government," accusing them of having "dithered." He described the smoke as "apocalyptic" and asserted that the fire was "not controlled in any way, shape or form," contradicting earlier official statements that it had been contained. McCook also criticized decisions being made from Edinburgh and what he perceived as a delay in declaring the blaze a major incident.
Other residents echoed concerns about the organization of the evacuation and a lack of communication from the government. Emergency services attributed the fire's unpredictable behavior partly to changing weather conditions, including stronger winds. On Saturday, the smoke was reported to be shifting direction, blowing towards Aberdeenshire and the North Sea.
Scottish justice secretary Neil Gray confirmed that helicopters had been available throughout the week as part of the tactical response to wildfires. By Saturday evening, Police Scotland Superintendent Judy Hill stated that the immediate threat prompting the evacuations had been addressed. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported that 75 firefighters remained on the ground near Nethy Bridge. On Saturday morning, authorities advised residents in affected areas, including Aberdeenshire and Moray, to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.