Emergency services and partners continue to tackle a large-scale fire near Ryvoan Bothy. The emergency response is being coordinated at a national level involving the Scottish Government, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Park Authority and multiple other partners.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that the fire is currently affecting an area of approximately six kilometres squared. We are asking the public to follow the following guidance:

• Please do not travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing. A strict cordon remains in place and road closures continue to support the emergency response.
• Those impacted by evacuations will have been contacted and we would ask everyone to cooperate fully with Police Scotland and other relevant authorities for their safety.
• Residents in Aviemore and surrounding areas are asked to close windows and doors to prevent smoke entering.
• Anyone with known respiratory conditions nearby is encouraged to contact 111 if they experience any difficulties. Contact 999 in an emergency.

Thermal drone footage captured by Park Authority staff last night has helped inform firefighting efforts and highlight the scale of the fire, but the extent of the damage and the cause is not yet known.

Gavin Miles, Director of Planning and Place, said: “We are grateful for the ongoing efforts of the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff who are working tirelessly to bring the fire under control, and those of the businesses and local community providing support to those affected.

"This is – of course – deeply worrying for all of us who love this special place. Photos and videos from the scene, and thermal drone footage captured by our team last night, give a sense of the scale of the wildfire, but we don’t know yet the extent of the damage, or the cause.

"This is a live situation, and right now our ask is that people stay away from the area and follow all the guidance issued by Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other relevant authorities for their own safety, and to enable emergency services and partners to continue their efforts.”

We will provide further updates on Facebook, Instagram and our website when we have them.