Minister Defends Refusing Army Help for the Cairngorms Fire
A Scottish government minister defended the decision not to call in military help for the Cairngorms wildfire, now in its thirteenth day, insisting emergency services had the resources they needed. It came after the Ministry of Defence offered helicopters and troops but acknowledged that the armed forces have no water-bombing aircraft suited to fighting major blazes. Firefighters reported continued progress.
The row over military assistance has given a political edge to a fire that has burned across the national park for nearly two weeks, forced evacuations and sent smoke as far as Aberdeen. The Scottish government has signalled a review of its wildfire strategy, while critics questioned both the handling of the response and a countryside burning ban. The blaze coincides with an approaching fourth heatwave that threatens fresh outbreaks. The episode has exposed how ill-prepared parts of Britain remain for wildfires once considered rare. Watch the containment effort and the political fallout as the heat builds.