Published 4th Sep 2026, 06:00 BST
Updated 4th Sep 2026, 06:01 BST
Cairngorms residents have welcomed moves to allow firefighters access to water-bombing helicopters to fight wildfires.
Sandy McCook is chair of Nethy Bridge Community Council, which was at the epicentre of the Cairngorms wildfire that burned for more than a month this summer.
He told The Scotsman: “I am a lot happier than I was before, and delighted to hear that during periods of high fire risk there will be helicopters on stand-by.
“This is a major sea change because until recently there has been resistance to it.
Mr McCook added he believes the cost of keeping water-bombing helicopters on stand-by over the summer months will be far less than the financial implications of a major wildfire such as the one seen in the national park this summer.
“I hate to think of what this fire has cost,” he said. “There has been £3 million made available to businesses to start with, and that’s before counting the cost of the fire service, diesel costs and paying retainer firefighters.
“You are looking at well in excess of £10m, which far outweighs the cost of keeping a helicopter on stand-by for a couple of months.”
He added that while the measure does not reduce the risk of a wildfire starting, it could drastically limit the potential damage it causes.
Mr Gray said: “It is clear that if we are to face an increased risk of wildfire, we need to consider an increase in aerial support.
“It is an important resource in tackling wildfires where terrain is difficult.
“However operating managers have made it clear it is not a silver bullet which immediately extinguishes a fire as soon as it is deployed – it is most effective in combination with a ground attack.”
He said: “We need to improve the current arrangements before the next wildfire season, so I can announce the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be in a position to put helicopter resources on stand-by to support firefighters.
“It is not a complete solution, but it is a meaningful improvement on the current situation.”
Andrew Baxter, Lib Dem MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said the move is a “significant step forward”, but said the fire service was not adequately resourced this summer.
He said: “This morning I spoke to a retained firefighter deployed to the Cairngorms who worked 13 hour shifts without suitable PPE, in kit that was so heavy and hot that he ended up fighting the fire in a T-shirt.
“When I asked him if the fire service was adequately resourced to tackle the wildfire, the answer was ‘no’.”
The justice secretary also vowed to ensure a government minister would attend a meeting with the local community in the Cairngorms later this month to discuss the wildfire response.