Residents warned to close windows after Cairngorms wildfire changes direction once again
The wildfire in the Cairngorms has burned for more than two weeks
The wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park has changed direction once again with residents in Aviemore urged to close their windows if they smell smoke.
Flames have been burning through the national park for more than two weeks after smoke was first reported near Ryvoan Bothy on RSPB Scotland land on Wednesday, 15 July.
The charity, whose Loch Garten reserve at Abernethy Estate has been badly burned, said it could takes weeks before the fire was extinguished.
The fire has destroyed about 10 sq miles (25 sq km) of moorland and forestry extending from the Glenmore area of the national park in what park bosses have described as “apocalyptic” scenes.
Several villages, including Nethy Bridge, had to be evacuated amid the ongoing incident and several cordons are still in place to prevent people from accessing the area.
At its height, more than 500 firefighters were involved in the response and Police Scotland declared it a "major incident" on Friday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) due to recent changes in the wind direction, existing smoke from the ongoing wildfire is now travelling in the direction of Aviemore.
A SFRS spokesperson said: “If you are in Aviemore and can smell smoke, residents and visitors are advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure.
“If you are travelling through the area by car, keep windows and air vents closed.
“Our crews are continuing to work to make the area safe, and we appreciate the support of our partners and the local community.”
The SFRS currently has six fire appliances on site, with around 30 firefighters working alongside partners and helicopter support to extinguish remaining hotspots and deep-seated fires.
Crews warned the incident area remains closed due to ongoing firefighting operations, the movement of heavy machinery, unsteady trees and work to remove them.
A cordon, however, has been relaxed to allow access for to Refuel, a Christian festival taking place at Badaguish this week.
On Monday evening, SFRS said plans for a phased reduction of some cordons in the Glenmore area are being finalised following a reduction of the incident cordon.
As part of this managed re-opening, SFRS said people working at the Refuel event and those staying at the event ground will be allowed past the existing road checkpoint at Coylumbridge from Tuesday.
“This will allow access as far as Badaguish, where an incident cordon remains in place, and will require proof of site access or a valid event ticket,” SFRS said in an update.
“The multi-agency partnership aims to support the community and local businesses. This event will generate significant footfall in the Aviemore area, however public safety must remain the top priority.
“Access to and from the event will be strictly managed by event staff to prevent further public access into the Glenmore Forest and Loch Morlich area, which remains a live incident ground.”
Police Scotland said road closures remain in place for the C7 Ski Road, the Forest Lodge access road, Lettoch Road, and Dorback.
Walking routes around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish also remain closed, alongside of routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy and Bynack More.
As cordons are reduced, SFRA said routes in and out of the incident area will be fully signposted, with clear guidance on which areas are accessible.
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