Firefighters battle through the night as wildfire burns across Cairngorms National Park
Firefighters are working to contain a large-scale wildfire in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park that has forced evacuations of nearby residents and tourists. Authorities have closed local roads and urged the public to avoid the area while they assess the situation.
Why it matters
Wildfires in protected natural areas pose significant risks to biodiversity, local infrastructure, and public safety, especially during dry summer months.
Image source, Sam Wallace Image caption, The flames took hold at Ryvoan Bothy in the Cairngorms National Park before spreading
Firefighters have been battling overnight to try and contain a "large-scale" wildfire that has spread across more than two miles (3.5km) of dry land in the Cairngorms National Park.
Villagers, campsites and ski resorts have been evacuated in the area.
The flames took hold at Ryvoan Bothy at Nethy Bridge at about 11:50 on Wednesday.
There is currently a "very high" risk of wildfire in place for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland.
Members of the public are being urged to avoid Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich as firefighting continues, with four appliances still at the scene.
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