Changing weather has made efforts to tackle the ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park more difficult, John Swinney has said.
The First Minister urged people in the affected region to follow advice from the emergency services and respect the exclusion zone around the fire, which has been burning for more than a week.
His comments came as smoke from the ongoing wildfire near Glenmore drifted as far as Aberdeen due to changing wind conditions.
Speaking to the Press Association on Friday, the First Minister said: “I would obviously ask people in the region to follow all of the advice that is available and to respect the exclusion zone that’s been put in place.
“This is an incident that we felt was moving in a positive direction earlier this week, but with the change of weather circumstances – which is an illustration of just the scale and difficulty of the situation that we are managing – it has moved in the other direction.”
The fire service said residents in the east of Aviemore, as well as in Aberdeenshire, may see or smell smoke on Friday and going into the weekend.
Hazy smoke reached Aberdeen more than 50 miles away, with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service advising residents to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.
Cairngorms National Park Authority said a helicopter is being used to douse the flames with water and strategic fire breaks are also being created.
The wildfire, which broke out near the village of Glenmore on Wednesday last week, led to residents and campsites being evacuated.
It covered an area of about six square kilometres of heather and small trees at its height.
Grant Moir, chief executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “This is an incredibly worrying time and we know that the images that are circulating online are distressing.
“The operation is being co-ordinated at a national level by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland.
“The situation is being monitored closely and the Park Authority will continue to support efforts and provide any resources wherever we can.”
More than 100 firefighters have been mobilised to the incident alongside specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles and partner agencies.
The fire service said on Friday that the incident “remains dynamic and unpredictable”.
Earlier, walkers and visitors were urged to stay away from the affected area as “substantial hotspots remain”.
Deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys said: “Our crews and specialist resources remain at the scene of the wildfire within the Cairngorms National Park.
“Progress is being made; however, wildfires can change rapidly and unexpectedly.
“The situation on the ground remains dynamic and continues to be influenced by changing weather conditions, particularly wind strength and direction.
“Wind changes often cause flare-ups, fire spread, and smoke to change direction, as we are witnessing today and over the past 24 hours.
“Our wildfire tactical advisers are continually monitoring conditions.
“We remain in attendance along with partner agencies to dampen down hot spots and prevent further fire spread, supported by ongoing helicopter water-bombing operations.”
He said the incident had been “appropriately and proportionately resourced throughout”.
RSPB Scotland manages the Loch Garten Nature Reserve near the site of the wildfire, with its staff and volunteers involved in the firefighting efforts.
A spokesperson said: “Over the last week, there has been a tireless effort to tackle the ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park.
“While encouraging progress had been made thanks to the immense support, unfortunately the fire threat has once again been growing at RSPB Abernethy since yesterday afternoon (Thursday) following a change in weather conditions.”
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