Firefighters tackle wildfire in Scottish Highlands
Wildfire burning in heathland in the Cairngorms National Park
- Published
Firefighters have been trying to put out a large fire in a national park in the Scottish Highlands.
The wildfire has spread more than two miles (3.5km) across Cairngorms National Park in the northeast of Scotland.
People have been evacuated from the area and visitors have been told not to travel there.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says it is "very much an ongoing incident".
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Cairngorms National Park is the UK's largest national park - it includes five of the UK's six highest mountains, 43 munros and nine nature reserves.
The fire started in a bothy, a stone shelter used by walkers,
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have advised residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and surrounding communities to keep doors and windows shut to limit exposure to smoke.
Ian McMeekin of the SFRS, told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme they are fighting the fire alongside other agencies.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has also attended the scene as the blaze borders Loch Garten Nature Reserve in Abernethy.
There is concern for Capercallies, an endangered woodland grouse, that live in the area.
A blaze on Tintwistle Moor in Glossop, Derbyshire has affected about 260 hectares (642 acres) of moorland and woodland
A spokesperson for the Cairngorms National Park Authority said:
"This incident – alongside wildfires we are seeing across the UK this week – serves as a stark reminder of the risks that periods of drier, hotter weather can pose."
On Wednesday, Claire Belcher, a wildfires expert told BBC News they had never seen the UK so at risk from wildfires after the record-breaking heatwave.
A major incident was declared in North Wales a few days ago near Conwy Mountain where people were evacuated for a couple of days.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are now attending fires in Gwynedd and Flintshire.
Firefighters have been tackling a huge blaze on moorland near Dovestone reservoir
Firefighters tackling a blaze in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire say it could be days before it is extinguished.
The fire started at Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, Saddleworth, and then merged with one several miles away at Tintwistle Moor near Glossop which had been burning for more than three weeks.
Wildfires have also affected Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon and Somerset.
The fires follow weeks of hot weather across the UK and fire services have warned that the dry conditions make wildfires more likely.
The National Fire Chiefs Council uses this picture to tell people how they can avoid starting fires by accident
The National Fire Chiefs Council, which represents the UK fire and rescue service, told Newsround how to prevent wildfires.
Advice includes:
Only have campfires and barbecues in official areas
Never leave any fire unattended
Always make sure all rubbish is thrown away properly or taken home.
