Fire crews still in attendance at Cairngorms wildfire say progress has been made

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Fire crews are still in attendance at the Cairngorms wildfire but have said there has been significant progress in the last day.

On Saturday evening, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said there were six fire appliances, two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), a Wildfire Support Unit and a water carrier helicopter at the scene.

The fire broke out late on Wednesday morning and has burned ever since.

SFRS said water-bombing operations are taking place in the area.

Scottish wildfire
Handout photo issued by RSPB Scotland of a wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park in northeast Scotland. Firefighters are spending a third day tackling the major wildfire which started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and spread to cover an area of around six kilometres by Thursday afternoon (RSPB Scotland/PA)

Over the last 24 hours, areas including Strathnethy on the western and eastern flanks have seen improvement.

The service said times between 3-6.30pm is the toughest part of the day due to warmer temperatures, stating it is looking into what resources will be needed on Sunday.

SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys said: “We hope this update provides reassurance to local residents and communities.

“However, it is equally important that expectations are managed given the unpredictable nature of wildfire incidents and the ongoing influence of weather conditions.

“We would like to thank the partnership working of landowners and agencies and our local communities for their continued patience, and cooperation throughout this incident.”

Police Scotland said people displaced by the fire who need to return to the exclusion zone around the fire need to register at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort in Aviemore between 10am and noon on Sunday or call 01349 886691.

Police said they will be contacted when the zone is considered safe to enter.

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