Residents have been ordered to evacuate as a “major incident” has been declared amid the ongoing wildfire at Cairngorms National Park, which crews have been battling for 10 days.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room reconvened this morning at 7am to review the position on the wildfire, chaired by First Minister John Swinney.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray, and other were also in attendance.
All residents of Nethy Bridge, a village of around 650 people, are being urgently evacuated after Police Scotland declared a major incident.
The force said changes in wind conditions have intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire, which has been raging since July 15.
A fire break around the village was established overnight, with new fire breaks being constructed.
The First Minister said: “This continues to be a very serious situation.
“Residents, businesses and people staying in the affected areas will understandably be very worried.
The fire has been raging for 10 days, first breaking out on July 15 | PA
“My thoughts are with them and I thank them for their understanding.”
He echoed that the fire was changing toward the direction of Nethy Bridge as of yesterday afternoon, and said the precautionary evacuation was “put in place overnight to protect the village”.
Police officers have visited all properties in Nethy Bridge, and officers are in the village today to support residents, the force confirmed.