A sudden shift in weather is adding fresh worry to parts of northern Scotland already hit hard by raging wildfires. Emergency services are now racing to handle the threat of flooding on top of smouldering hillsides and scorched countryside.
Wildfires Stretch Resources Thin
In Moray, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed six appliances have been tackling a major blaze near Forres. Fire crews, already exhausted after days of dry conditions, now face the risk of heavy rain washing ash and debris into local streams and roads.
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A separate wildfire near Carrbridge in the Highlands has kept crews busy too. Local councillor Draeyk Van Der Horn shared an image from the Cairngorms showing smoke rising like a bruise across the landscape — a stark reminder of how dry Scotland’s hills have been this summer.
Roads Closed as Safety Precaution
With flames licking close to transport routes, Police Scotland shut multiple roads around Grantown-on-Spey. Some drivers found themselves turning back on quiet rural lanes.
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Closures include:
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B9007 from Duthil to Ferness
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A939 from Grantown-on-Spey to Ferness
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A940 shut at Dava
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B9102 from Grantown-on-Spey to Upper Knockando and Dallas
Snowgates at Carrbridge have also been closed, adding to travel woes for residents and emergency crews alike.
Sepa Issues Flood Warning for North
Now, as if fire wasn’t enough, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued a flood alert for Findhorn, Nairn, and Speyside.
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Forecasters expect heavy rainfall across the region. It’s a blessing in one sense — rain can help dampen the dry ground. But too much, too fast, could cause water to rush down slopes stripped of vegetation by fire.
When soil can’t soak up the deluge, debris-laden runoff can flood roads, homes, and farmland.
Fire and Rain: A Risky Mix for Rural Communities
Locals are used to rain — this is Scotland after all — but pairing it with wildfire damage brings fresh headaches. Ash and loose soil can clog drains, while charred vegetation slides off hillsides.
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Many farms near Grantown-on-Spey rely on backroads now shut by flames and potential floodwater. It’s a double whammy nobody wanted.
Here’s what officials are watching for:
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Sudden rise in river levels
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Landslips in burn-scarred hills
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Roads washed out by blocked drains
Crews Keeping a Close Eye
Emergency planners say they’re working flat out. Firefighters, police and local councils are on standby for any sudden changes.
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A spokesperson for SFRS urged locals to follow safety updates closely and steer clear of closed roads.
Grantown-on-Spey, already smoky and tense, now braces for rain that could soak the ash and cause fresh trouble. It’s a reminder that Scotland’s weather, even at its wettest, still finds ways to keep folks on their toes.
