Sunday 11 October 2026 · Edition of the day

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The Skeptic's Daily

The day's biggest stories, taken apart. For each one: what is actually established, what is only asserted, the questions worth asking — and a plausibility score for the central claim, given everything currently known.

Stories
1
Average plausibility
73%
How to read the score
It rates how well the core claim is evidenced — not how important the story is, nor whether it is good or bad news.
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01ScienceEurope

Drones search for hidden fire beneath the Cairngorms

BBC News reports efforts to locate underground hot spots after July's wildfire.

BBC News describes drones hunting for fires hidden beneath the Cairngorms. Although the dramatic flames from July's wildfire have disappeared, the report says hot spots can continue to burn underground.

What holds up

  • ✓The BBC reports drone use in the search for hidden fires in the Cairngorms.
  • ✓The item distinguishes the disappearance of visible flames from the possibility of continuing underground burning.

What doesn't yet

  • ?The extract gives no number, extent or temperature of any remaining hot spots.
  • ?No detection results or assessment of the drones' effectiveness are provided.

Ask before you share

  • →Have the drones confirmed active underground fires, and where?
  • →How are detections checked and used to guide firefighting?

Sources & original reporting

  1. [1]BBC News · Published 10 Oct 2026 · bbc.co.uk