The devastating wildfires seen here in the Cairngorms and across the UK this summer have highlighted an urgent gap in our ability to respond to fires in remote and difficult terrain, when ground crews can struggle to reach the fire front safely and quickly.

The Park Authority welcomes this afternoon’s announcement from Justice Secretary Neil Gray MSP about aerial support for wildfires. From today, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can put helicopters on standby if a wildfire danger assessment indicates the need to do so. These resources can be immediately mobilised in support of firefighting. 

In his statement at Holyrood, Mr Gray said that further work is underway to improve aerial support availability, including options for four nations collaboration and military support.

Sandy Bremner, Convener at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “This is great news and a massive relief. Dedicated aerial support can make the difference between wildfire containment and absolute catastrophe. This will help safeguard lives, communities and our precious natural heritage.

“I made a commitment to use every possible opportunity to seek urgent action following the latest in what has been a succession of major wildfires. We can’t let this level of destruction happen again if it can be averted.

“The Cairngorms National Park Authority will continue to work with Scottish Government and our partners to help develop a better-coordinated national approach to a growing threat.”

Our approach to preventing - and preparing for - wildfires must also recognise the bigger picture we are working within, and the need to restore and create healthy and functional habitats and ecosystems that can adapt to our changing climate. These changing landscapes need to be managed for wildfire risk, and this will mean a greater focus on actions such as strategic fire breaks, prescribed burning for fire management, re-wetting of habitat (peatland, pond and bog woodland) and conservation grazing. 

Measures such as the seasonal fire byelaw will help, as will the funding the Park Authority has invested in fire-fighting equipment, machinery and training for local businesses over the past few years. 

Wildfires are a very emotive subject and these past few months have been very difficult for those involved and affected by the Glenmore and Strath Nethy wildfire. The Park Authority would like to again thank everyone that has helped on the ground to get the fire under control.