Firefighters complete work at Cairngorms wildfire but public safety advice remains in place

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) left the scene yesterday, 17 August, of the wildfire which affected areas of the Cairngorms National Park.

The final affected area around the RSPB Abernethy Nature Reserve was handed over to the RSPB yesterday, 17 August.

While SFRS crews are no longer in attendance, RSPB teams continue to dampen down hotspots in parts of the nature reserve. Members of the public are advised that significant disruption has occurred within parts of the Cairngorms National Park and some locations may remain hazardous due to unstable ground conditions and the risk of falling trees.

The RSPB will now monitor and maintain the affected land following its handover.

An RSPB spokesperson said: “This is an important milestone, made possible thanks to everyone that has worked so hard to tackle this fire. However, it will still be a while until we can safely welcome visitors back to RSPB Abernethy.

“Our staff are still using fire-fighting equipment to extinguish widely-scattered hotspots. In many parts of the reserve, including close to tracks, tree roots have been destroyed, so there is a risk of tree-fall which we need to make safe.

“We will also be using heavy machinery to undertake further work where firebreaks have been created.

“Until we can be certain that these areas are safe, we are asking that people follow all safety advice and signage and do not attempt to access the affected parts of the RSPB Abernethy nature reserve.”

The SFRS is grateful for all the support received during this complex incident, which included many public, private, and third-sector organisations and volunteers.

Local communities and businesses experienced a lot of disruption during this worrying time, and they are thanked for their patience and support.

The complex and protracted incident began on Wednesday 15 July near Ryvoan Bothy and Glenmore.

The response has involved hundreds of firefighters, partner agencies, volunteers, landowners, and a vast range of specialist equipment, which included helicopters and plant machinery.

As the incident has progressed, sectors of the land have been handed back in a phased approach following the completion of firefighting operations. This also allowed for some areas within the Cairngorms National Park to welcome visitors and for businesses to reopen.

SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer William Pollard said: “While SFRS has now left the scene, we would remind members of the public that large areas of ground within the Cairngorms National Park have undergone significant disruption due to firefighting operations and the creation of firebreaks.

"Businesses across the area are reopening and look forward to welcoming the return of visitors. However, some locations remain closed due to unsafe ground conditions. We urge people to avoid closed zones and avoid entering restricted areas.

"Please ensure your safety and the safety of others by following all signage and paying close attention to the advice provided by our partners."

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is urging visitors to Glenmore to observe the safety signage and barriers limiting public access to some parts of Glenmore Forest.