Fire crews 'surround' large-scale Cairngorms wildfire
Firefighters in Scotland have made significant progress in containing a large-scale wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park. While the area remains under restricted access, authorities are optimistic as favorable weather conditions have aided the suppression efforts.
Why it matters
Wildfires in protected national parks threaten biodiversity and local tourism economies, requiring significant emergency resource allocation.
Image source, Cairngorms National Park Authority Image caption, Crews have been tackling the fire in the Cairngorms for several days
Fire crews have "surrounded" a large-scale wildfire in the Cairngorms after several days of tackling the blaze.
Residents were evacuated from the area while more than 100 firefighters battled to contain and extinguish the fire, which started near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, on Wednesday.
Police began escorting residents and campers back to properties and campsites to collect personal belongings on Sunday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said "significant progress" in tackling the fire had been made.
Favourable conditions including low wind and rainfall on Saturday meant emergency responders were able to make "marked improvements" in extinguishing large sections of the six square kilometre area affected.
Forestry Scotland allowed crews the use of drones to get an aerial view of the fire area on Sunday.
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