Arabic version: إعلان حالة طوارئ كبرى بسبب خطر حريق غابات كيرنغورمز

According to BBC News, Police Scotland has declared a major incident as emergency services continue to tackle a wildfire that has burned in the Cairngorms National Park for 10 days. The decision followed a significant change in weather conditions that increased the risk of the fire spreading towards Nethy Bridge.

All residents of Nethy Bridge have been evacuated as a precaution, while access roads into the village have been closed. Police said residents were being directed to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel. Supt Judy Hill said the weather experienced in the Cairngorms over the previous 24 hours had added further complexities, with evidence suggesting the fire was spreading towards the village.

First Minister John Swinney said additional police resources were being deployed to support the evacuation, including identifying vulnerable residents who may need extra help. After a meeting of the Scottish government’s resilience room, he urged people to respect the exclusion zone and said the response was focused on creating a firebreak.

More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the blaze since it first broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, last Wednesday. At its height, the fire covered about six sq km of heather and small trees. Eleven fire engines, wildlife units and a command support unit remain at the scene, while helicopters are carrying out water-bombing operations.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the incident remained dynamic and unpredictable, warning that changing wind strength and direction can cause flare-ups, reignition and smoke to spread. Smoke from the wildfire can now be seen 59 miles away in Aberdeen. Firefighters said miles-long firebreaks helped contain break-outs on Thursday night, while drones directed crews to hot spots.