‘Race against time’ to protect Cairngorms from another major wildfire

Communities in the front line of the Cairngorms wildfire believe they face a “race against time” to prevent a repeat of the summer’s widespread destruction.

As calls grow for an independent inquiry into the response to the blaze, an action plan for the future is taking shape.

A 20-square mile stretch of the Cairngorms landscape was destroyed as the flames ravaged the hills over a period of five weeks.

The cause of the blaze remains a mystery. There was no loss of life, property was preserved but wildlife and fragile habitats suffered along with many businesses as a wide cordon was enforced across entry points to one of the UK’s most popular tourist spots.

A blueprint being drawn up to protect the area in future may still be a long way off and the clock is ticking.

Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council chairman Sandy McCook said: “It needs to be done in advance of the next fire season, which is only six months away.

“Given a dry Spring, that’s barely March. The March winds can be a very dangerous time for fires.

“There’s no new growth. Though vegetation is still there, it dries out and it has a chance. If there is a fire, it can be serious.”

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has drafted an ambitious five-year plan with fire prevention and response at its core.

A public consultation on the lengthy document runs until mid-January.

The authority’s priorities are to establish strategic fire breaks by next summer, for estates to have fire management plans in place, for communities at potential risk to have a fire evacuation plan and to develop and support regional wildfire groups across the park.

The absence of aerial fire response in the early stages of the drama remains a frustration but should not happen again.

Cairngorms National Park Authority convener Sandy Bremner said: “It took more than 30 hours to get a helicopter actually working on site. Now we’ve got the Scottish Government’s commitment that the fire and rescue service have access to a helicopter during times of high fire risk. That was a critical lesson learned, action taken.”

Highland councillors have joined a chorus urging the Scottish Government to grant an independent review of the multi-agency and public response to the fire.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Cairngorm wildfire was an exceptionally challenging incident and a multi-agency review and debrief of the incident has been commissioned by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland and Highland Council. Ministers will consider the findings and recommendations of this review carefully.

“I am very grateful for the work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in responding to wildfires, and we are ensuring we are taking every possible step to tackle the increased threat. That is why I have commissioned a review of the Wildfire Strategic Action Plan.

“We are committed to ensuring these reviews are inclusive, drawing on the views of local communities, public agencies and the wide range of those involved in the wildfire response.

“Last month, I also announced that SFRS will now place helicopters on standby when a wildfire danger alert is issued. This gives commercial suppliers early notice of likely demand, allowing them to maximise availability, including moving assets closer to areas at highest wildfire risk where appropriate.

“This year’s budget provides £436 million for SFRS – an increase of £23.8m – to ensure it has the resources it needs to continue to keep Scotland’s communities safe.”