Fire crews warn of ‘unpredictable nature’ of wildfires after Cairngorms blaze

Fire crews warn of ‘unpredictable nature’ of wildfires after Cairngorms blaze Water-bombing operations are ongoing as part of the effort to bring the fire under control - Bookmark Fire crews continue to tackle a significant wildfire in the Cairngorms, though authorities have reported "significant progress" over the past 24 hours. The blaze, which ignited late on Wednesday morning, has seen a substantial deployment of resources from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). On Saturday evening, the SFRS confirmed six fire appliances, two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), a Wildfire Support Unit, and a water carrier helicopter were actively engaged at the scene. Water-bombing operations are ongoing as part of the effort to bring the fire under control. Improvements have been noted in areas such as Strathnethy, particularly on its western and eastern flanks. However, crews face their toughest conditions between 3pm and 6:30pm daily due to rising temperatures, with the service currently assessing resource needs for Sunday. Michael Humphreys, SFRS deputy assistant chief officer, offered reassurance to local residents while cautioning against complacency. He stated: "We hope this update provides reassurance to local residents and communities. “However, it is equally important that expectations are managed given the unpredictable nature of wildfire incidents and the ongoing influence of weather conditions." Mr Humphreys also extended gratitude for the collaborative efforts, adding: "We would like to thank the partnership working of landowners and agencies and our local communities for their continued patience, and cooperation throughout this incident."