{"success":true,"data":{"id":"dd10e958-06cb-41db-ba61-df8970db040b","title":"Fire crews warn of ‘unpredictable nature’ of wildfires after Cairngorms blaze","summary":"US Edition Change Support Now × \"Clear search box\") Custom Search Sort by Relevance Date NewsNews World CupWorld Cup SportsSports CultureCulture LifestyleLifestyle MoneyMoney TravelTravel PremiumPremium More More Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the si...","content":"US Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n[×](javascript:void(0) \"Clear search box\")\n\nCustom Search\n\nSort by\n\nRelevance\n\nDate\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   World Cup[World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# Fire crews warn of ‘unpredictable nature’ of wildfires after Cairngorms blaze\n\n## Water-bombing operations are ongoing as part of the effort to bring the fire under control\n\n[Ryan McDougall](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/ryan-mcdougall)Saturday 18 July 2026 21:49 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nopen image in gallery\n\nFire crews are still tending to the Cairngorms wildfire but have said there has been significant progress in the last day(PA Wire)\n\n### Your support helps us to tell the story\n\nFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.\n\nAt such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.\n\nThe Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.\n\n**Your support makes all the difference.**\n\nFire crews continue to tackle a [significant wildfire in the Cairngorms](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cairngorms-fire-update-glenmore-forest-b3016628.html), though authorities have reported \"significant progress\" over the past 24 hours.\n\nThe blaze, which ignited late on Wednesday morning, has seen a substantial deployment of resources from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).\n\nOn Saturday evening, the SFRS confirmed six fire appliances, two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), a Wildfire Support Unit, and [a water carrier helicopter](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cairngorms-rspb-scotland-fife-police-scotland-justice-secretary-b3016755.html) were actively engaged at the scene. Water-bombing operations are ongoing as part of the effort to bring the fire under control.\n\nImprovements have been noted in areas such as Strathnethy, particularly on its western and eastern flanks.\n\nFirefighters have been battling a wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park in northeast Scotland since Wednesday morning(PA)\n\nHowever, crews face their toughest conditions between 3pm and 6:30pm daily due to rising temperatures, with the service currently assessing resource needs for Sunday.\n\nUndo\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://rt.everloaf.com/6a16bc50db037f5ce53f66ed)[Why Bread Never Went Stale in the 1950s EverLoaf | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://rt.everloaf.com/6a16bc50db037f5ce53f66ed \"Why Bread Never Went Stale in the 1950s\")\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/mark-cuban-says-if-youre-not-reading-youre-falling-behind-firstperson-tts)[A Billionaire's Reading List: 5 Books Cuban Says Everyone Should Know Blinkist Magazine | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/mark-cuban-says-if-youre-not-reading-youre-falling-behind-firstperson-tts \"A Billionaire's Reading List: 5 Books Cuban Says Everyone Should Know\")\n\nUndo\n\nMichael Humphreys, SFRS deputy assistant chief officer, offered reassurance to local residents while cautioning against complacency.\n\nHe stated: \"We hope this update provides reassurance to local residents and communities.\n\nOver the last 24 hours, areas including Strathnethy on the western and eastern flanks have seen improvement(PA)\n\n“However, it is equally important that expectations are managed given the unpredictable nature of wildfire incidents and the ongoing influence of weather conditions.\"\n\nMr Humphreys also extended gratitude for the collaborative efforts, adding: \"We would like to thank the partnership working of landowners and agencies and our local communities for their continued patience, and cooperation throughout this incident.\"\n\n### More about\n\nPromoted stories\n\n[](https://money.com/land/best-car-warranties-social-t)[Oregon: If You Own a Car Out of Warranty, Check This Immediately The Smarter Way to Cover Repairs Money.com | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbs-feed-01-rd:Below%20Article%20Thumbnails%20|%20Card%201:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbs-feed-01-rd:Below%20Article%20Thumbnails%20|%20Card%201:) Learn More](https://money.com/land/best-car-warranties-social-t \"Oregon: If You Own a Car Out of Warranty, Check This Immediately\")","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cairngorms-fire-update-national-park-wildfires-b3017518.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cairngorms-fire-update-national-park-wildfires-b3017518.html","author":"Ryan McDougall","author_name":"Ryan McDougall","published_at":"2026-07-18T20:49:19.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-18T20:49:19.000Z","image_url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/07/18/21/0b3b87673651e88320f01ccc23e10b3aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzg0NDkwOTk1-2.85332997.jpg","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":4,"word_count":635,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot"}}