Scottish Government Builds Fire Breaks Around Nethy Bridge as 10-Day Cairngorms Blaze Draws Criticism
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 25
Scottish Government Builds Fire Breaks Around Nethy Bridge as 10-Day Cairngorms Blaze Draws Criticism
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 25
Summary
Fire crews established a protective fire break around Nethy Bridge overnight and began cutting new ones as the Scottish government deployed extra resources against the Cairngorms wildfire.
The stepped-up response followed Friday evacuations and a major-incident declaration after shifting weather pushed the 10-day blaze toward the village.
Residents said that escalation came too late, arguing officials missed a chance to contain the fire when it was first reported last Wednesday and failed to communicate with local people who knew the terrain.
Neil Gray defended the response as evidence-led, said all available resources were committed, and confirmed the government had sought military helicopter support after exhausting commercial options.
The fire has burned about 6 square kilometres, prompted more than 500 firefighters to respond, triggered further precautionary evacuations near Dorback Lodge, and led to a smoke advisory in Tomintoul.