Firefighters battle through the night as wildfire burns across Cairngorms National Park
Firefighters have contained a large wildfire in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, though a high-risk warning remains in effect. Authorities have evacuated nearby properties as a precaution while monitoring the situation.
Why it matters
Wildfires in protected national parks pose significant threats to biodiversity and public safety, requiring coordinated emergency responses.
Image source, RSPB Scotland Image caption, Volunteers have joined fire crews in working to control the blaze
Firefighters have contained a large-scale wildfire at Cairngorms National Park, but a very high risk of further blazes remains in place.
Scotland's justice secretary Neil Gray said the fire was "currently contained" thanks to "exceptional work of firefighters".
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said six appliances were still at the site with flames continuing at a "steady pace". Nearby homes remain evacuated.
The blaze began at Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, at about 11:50 on Wednesday and spread across more than two miles (3.5km) of dry land in 24 hours.
Gray, whose ministerial responsibilities include the SFRS, also praised police, land managers and volunteers for "an outstanding job keeping people, property and the natural environment as safe as possible".
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