Cairngorms wildfire: A9 lane closed as blaze expands
Smoke is affecting visibility of drivers just south of Dalwhinnie
Traffic on the A9 has been disrupted due to an ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park which is now affecting a 3.7mile stretch of heather and trees.
Lane one of the busy road at Dalnaspidal, just south of Dalwhinnie, has been shut due to smoke affecting visibility.
Drivers have been advised to drive with caution and their hazard lights on.
The alarm was raised after smoke was seen rising from near Ryvoan Bothy, a popular camping spot in the national park, on Wednesday morning.
Flames have ripped through the land, which is owned by the RSPB Scotland. The charity has launched an appeal for helicopter support to douse the flames.
The wildfire have also moved through special and highly designated conservation land owned by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
A spokesperson for the government body said the fire is affecting its Caledonian pinewood which supports species including the endangered Capercaillie.
A resident whose home overlooks the ongoing fire said the flames are now high up in the trees and spreading towards Glenmore Lodge.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts in the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution.
Four fire appliances, a specialist wildfire unit and an additional 4x4 vehicle remain at the scene, according to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Crews said the fire is currently affecting an area of approximately six kilometres, measuring around two to three feet in length, and is burning through 10-inch heather and small trees, with the fire continuing at a steady pace.
A strict cordon remains in place, and road closures continue to support the emergency response.
The public have been warned not to travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin said: "This remains a protracted incident, and I want to thank our firefighters for their continued commitment and determination in challenging conditions. I would also like to thank our partner agencies, landowners and local organisations whose support has been invaluable throughout this response.
"The safety of our communities remains our priority, and we will continue to assess the need for any further evacuations alongside multi-agency partners as the incident progresses.
"The wildfire risk across Scotland remains high. We are asking everyone to follow the advice in place, stay away from the affected area and help reduce the risk of further wildfires while our crews continue their work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion."
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