The short version
- Thermal imaging drones continue to identify subsurface hotspots three months after the July wildfire burned approximately 3,300 hectares of land in the Cairngorms.
- Ground teams use precise drone coordinates to locate and douse hidden fires that are invisible to the naked eye but pose a risk of reignition despite cooler weather.
- Conservationists are repurposing the technology to establish standardized flight paths for tracking landscape regeneration over months and years.
Three months after a massive wildfire swept through the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland, significant heat continues to burn beneath the surface of the soil. While the dramatic flames that characterized the initial emergency have long since vanished, thermal imaging drones deployed by pilot Pete Short are revealing that the fire is far from extinguished. These aerial patrols, conducted during the early morning hours, detect white glows on thermal screens that correspond to hidden hotspots invisible from the ground. The technology has become essential for identifying these residual fires, which would otherwise remain undetected without specialized equipment.
The original blaze ignited in mid-July and consumed roughly 3,300 hectares of land, an area equivalent to 33 square kilometers. At the peak of the crisis, five experienced drone operators were mobilized to provide critical aerial intelligence to emergency responders. The environment proved exceptionally difficult for aviation operations, with pilots navigating multiple walls of flame, moving personnel and vehicles on the ground, and coordinating with helicopters overhead. Now, in the aftermath, the focus has shifted from immediate suppression to meticulous hunting of lingering heat sources that threaten to reignite larger fires.
During recent dawn patrols, drone operators have identified several new hotspots each week. When a thermal anomaly is detected, teams are dispatched to the specific coordinates provided by the aircraft. Upon arrival, ground crews often find little visual evidence of fire; however, scraping away thin layers of earth reveals rising smoke and warm soil. Rocks picked up from the ground may still retain heat. Each confirmed location is reported to land managers, who then send teams to dig into the earth and douse the smoldering material with water. This targeted approach ensures that limited human resources are deployed efficiently rather than searching blindly across vast scorched areas.
Ben Jones, a senior site manager for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at Abernethy, emphasized the importance of precision in these operations. With constrained staffing levels, it is impossible to send personnel everywhere simultaneously. Knowing exactly where hotspots are located allows teams to act with maximum efficiency. Despite the arrival of colder and wetter weather conditions that typically suppress fire activity, these subsurface burns cannot be ignored. Each hidden pocket of heat carries the potential to flare up again, posing a continued risk to the recovering landscape.
The physical scars of the July fire remain evident throughout the forest. Tree trunks stand blackened and charred, and an acrid smell lingers in the air. Large sections of the forest floor have been scorched, creating a haunting visual record of the destruction. Yet, signs of ecological resilience are already emerging. Green shoots are pushing through the ash, fungi are growing on decaying matter, and small yellow flowers are visible against the darkened ground. These early indicators suggest that nature is beginning to reclaim the area, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
Dr. Sarah Henshall, head of conservation at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, noted that it is too early to assess the complete ecological impact of the disaster. Recovery timelines will vary significantly across different species and habitats. Some elements of the ecosystem may bounce back quickly, while others could take years or even decades to restore. In some cases, full recovery might extend beyond a human lifetime. The ultimate appearance of the recovered landscape remains uncertain, but conservationists are committed to monitoring the changes closely.
To facilitate this long-term observation, the drones used for firefighting are being repurposed for scientific monitoring. Pilots are programming the aircraft to fly identical routes over the damaged terrain using predetermined waypoints. This consistency allows for the capture of photographs and video from the exact same positions month after month and year after year. By comparing these images, conservationists can build a detailed visual record of how the landscape evolves over time. This standardized approach provides valuable data on regeneration rates and ecological shifts that would be difficult to capture through ground-level observation alone.
Looking ahead, there is potential for this technology to play a preventive role in future emergencies. Experts believe that obtaining an aerial view above the tree canopy quickly could be critical in stopping wildfires before they spiral out of control. Early detection during the initial stages of ignition offers the best chance for containment. As the last firefighters stand down from the scene, the transition from emergency response to long-term management marks a new phase for the park. The combination of immediate hotspot elimination and systematic ecological monitoring aims to safeguard the Cairngorms against future threats while supporting natural recovery processes.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Science & Environment↗How drones are hunting fires hidden beneath the Cairngorms
