King Charles and Queen Camilla issued a joint statement thanking firefighters, volunteers and landowners after a large wildfire tore through the Cairngorms. The blaze began near Aviemore on July 15, burned for almost five weeks and scorched about 3,300 hectares, forcing multiple evacuations. The King visited An Lochan Uaine to view the damage, described the destruction as "appalling," and called for stronger preparedness and action on climate change as recovery continues.
King Charles and Queen Camilla Issue Joint Statement After Devastating Cairngorms Wildfire
(Getty Images)
King Charles and Queen Camilla have issued a joint statement thanking volunteers, firefighters and landowners who helped tackle a major wildfire in the Cairngorms, Scotland, following the monarch's visit to the affected area.
King Charles has issued a statement about the Cairngorms wildfires (@ Getty Images)
The 77-year-old King visited An Lochan Uaine, commonly known as the Green Lochan, to see the damage and firefighting work firsthand. He expressed his "admiration and appreciation" for the teams who fought the blaze and for communities working on long-term recovery.
The 77-year-old monarch visited An Lochan Uaine to find out more about the firefighting efforts (@ Getty Images)
Scope of the Fire and Response
The wildfire began near Aviemore on July 15 and burned for almost five weeks, ultimately affecting roughly 3,300 hectares of land. More than 500 firefighters, alongside volunteers and local land teams, battled the flames. Homes, businesses, campsites and a ski resort were temporarily evacuated during the emergency response.
Over 500 firefighters risked their lives to put out the flames this summer (@ Getty Images)
Royal Statement
"My wife and I have been appalled by the devastating impact of wildfires this summer and the terrible destruction they have caused to homes, livelihoods and landscapes, not only in this beautiful landscape of the Cairngorms, but across the United Kingdom and — as we have seen — other regions of Europe.
"I can only express my admiration and appreciation to all those who have worked so tirelessly and courageously, in the UK and beyond, to bring these fires under control and to those supporting communities facing the long road to restoration and renewal that still lies ahead."
In the statement, the King warned that recent fires around the world highlight the mounting pressures that prolonged heat and drought place on the environment. He called for stronger preparedness, better risk reduction and urgent action to address the root causes of climate change to reduce the likelihood of such catastrophic events in future.
Fire crews and volunteers in the Cairngorms spent almost five weeks tackling the blaze (@ Getty Images)
On the Ground
Arriving shortly after 11:00 a.m., the King wore a grey blazer and chinos and was photographed using a shepherd's crook while navigating rocky woodland terrain. He spoke with representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the RSPB, NatureScot and local estate staff, showing particular interest in how Caledonian pine and other native species recover after fire. He also welcomed recent rainfall for the area.
King Charles' visit is 'incredibly important' in raising awareness of the wildfire (@ Getty Images)
Grant Moir, chief executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said the King's visit was "incredibly important" for raising awareness of the damage and the ongoing recovery work, and for discussions on future measures to minimise wildfire risk and protect these valued landscapes.
The royal statement and visit emphasize both immediate gratitude to those who responded and a forward-looking call for resilience, restoration and action on climate change as communities rebuild.
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