The crackling of flames and the acrid smell of smoke hung over the Cairngorms on Saturday as Police Scotland confirmed that residents in a small area north-west of Dorback Lodge—known locally as Lain Thatchan—had been evacuated from their homes as a precaution. The wildfire, which has already triggered a major incident declaration in the Highlands, shows no sign of abating, leaving those forced to flee feeling “upset and angry”, according to the Evening Standard.
Officers said the evacuation was a “precautionary measure” but offered no timeline for when residents might return. The major incident status, declared earlier in the week, has mobilised multiple emergency services to battle the blaze across a wide area of the national park. Fire crews have been working around the clock as the fire continues to spread, fuelled by dry conditions and gusting winds.
“Residents evacuated northwest of Dorback Lodge as Cairngorms wildfire triggers major incident”
For the evacuated families, the wait is agonising. Many have been unable to gather belongings or secure their properties before leaving. The sense of frustration is palpable, with some questioning why it took so long for the order to come. The Scottish Government has been briefed on the situation, and Police Scotland is leading the multi-agency response.
While no injuries have been reported, the scale of the wildfire has drawn parallels to previous devastating blazes in the region. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the immediate priority is containment. Firefighters from across the Highlands have been drafted in to reinforce local crews.
As the sun set over the smouldering landscape, the question on everyone’s mind was: when will they be allowed home? Until the fire is brought under control, the answer remains uncertain.