First Minister’s visit to wildfire-hit area welcomed but Scottish aerial response needed

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed the First Minister John Swinney’s visit today to one of the areas of the Cairngorms most damaged by ongoing wildfire, but continued to call for a dedicated aerial unit for Scotland.

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland and Strategic Projects for Scottish Land & Estates, who was present for the First Minister’s visit, commented: “The First Minister’s visit to the scene of this devastating wildfire in Glenmore and Strathnethy is welcome, and it underscores the seriousness with which wildfire is being viewed by the Scottish Government. 

“However, this wildfire underscores the urgent need for a bespoke aerial wildfire suppression capability that can be deployed rapidly when a major wildfire breaks out. Specialist helicopters were key to the response effort in the Cairngorms, but reports that a helicopter could not be sourced on day one of the fire are a cause for real concern. It is vital that such resources are available rapidly at the point of need.”

The wildfire was first reported on Wednesday morning [15 July] close to Ryvoan Bothy near Nethy Bridge. 

Dozens of gamekeepers and land managers from neighbouring landholdings have joined firefighters in tackling the blaze. Continued dry conditions have hampered efforts to extinguish the fire, which is still smouldering in areas of woodland.