A sprawling wildfire, so intense it was visible from space, has been raging across northern Scotland for over 24 hours, prompting mass evacuations and raising concerns for wildlife. The blaze, which began east of Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park, has consumed approximately 1,000 acres of the Abernethy National Nature Reserve.
Residents, businesses, and tourists were forced to flee their properties and tents as flames and smoke engulfed the area. Satellite images revealed the extent of the inferno, which stretched across a four-mile section of the national park and continued to spread at a steady pace. Gamekeepers, landowners, RSPB staff, and volunteers joined firefighters, using all-terrain vehicles with water supplies in an effort to combat the flames.
The Abernethy National Nature Reserve, a vital habitat for over 5,000 species including birds, red squirrels, badgers, lizards, and deer, has been severely impacted. James Reynolds of RSPB Scotland expressed significant concern for the local wildlife, noting that the full extent of the damage would not be known until the fire is extinguished.
The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre made the difficult decision to release its herd into the wild for safety. Locals described the scene as "heartbreaking."
Community leaders have criticized the response, drawing parallels to a "mega" fire that occurred last summer and questioning the availability of resources, particularly helicopter support. Sandy McCook, chairman of the Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council, stated that a national facility with readily available resources is needed. He suggested that prompt helicopter intervention could have extinguished the fire early on.
By late Thursday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed that aerial support had arrived, with water bombing operations underway. Roads in the affected area remained closed, and a cordon was in place, with warnings issued against travel.
Mountain rescue teams were deployed to assist stranded walkers, and several campsites and resorts, including Glenmore Camp site at Loch Morlich and Cairngorm Mountain Resort, remained shut. Evacuees reported difficulties finding accommodation, with many forced to sleep in their cars or advised to travel home.
SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin stated that evacuation decisions were made only when there was a genuine risk to public safety. He confirmed that four fire appliances, a specialist wildfire unit, and an additional 4x4 vehicle were at the scene. The fire was reported to be burning through heather and small trees across an area approximately six kilometers long.
The ongoing incident occurs as much of Scotland faces a very high risk of wildfire, with temperatures in some areas reaching nearly 30C. Aviemore, the location of the blaze, was among several areas experiencing a heatwave.