UK Offers Chinook Helicopters and Troops to Combat Cairngorms Wildfire
The UK Government has offered to deploy Chinook helicopters and standby battalion troops to assist in tackling the ongoing Cairngorms wildfire, responding to a formal request from the Scottish Government. The offer, coordinated by the Scotland Office and Ministry of Defence, includes heavy-lift capacity for logistical support and additional personnel on the ground. The fire, which began on 15 July, forced evacuations in Nethy Bridge as shifting winds threatened properties. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander confirmed the readiness of military assets under the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities framework. The support supplements existing mutual aid from English fire services and national resilience functions. The Chinook helicopters, based at RAF Odiham, can carry water buckets for aerial firefighting in difficult terrain.
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