Around 10 square kilometres of land have been affected across Glenmore and Abernethy, while emergency crews warn that the incident remains active despite progress containing its spread.
The wildfire burning across the Cairngorms National Park has entered its second week, with significant hotspots remaining across a large area of Glenmore and Abernethy.
More than 100 firefighters have been deployed since the alarm was raised shortly before noon on Wednesday 15 July. The response has also involved specialist wildfire units, helicopters carrying out water-bombing operations and a high-volume pump drawing water from Loch Morlich.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said around 10 square kilometres of land had been affected. Although crews had made progress, the remaining hotspots were spread across what it described as a large and complex landscape. An operational presence is expected to continue throughout this week until the incident can be brought to a safe conclusion.
The figure of more than 100 firefighters refers to personnel deployed during the response as a whole, rather than the number working at the scene at one time.
The latest updates present a more stable position than during the first days of the fire, when changing winds drove flames through heathland, trees and woodland and forced the evacuation of homes, businesses, campsites and visitor facilities.
By Sunday, the Cairngorms National Park Authority said the fire was largely surrounded. That represented progress in preventing further spread, but did not mean the fire had been extinguished. Dry ground, deep-burning vegetation and inaccessible terrain can allow hotspots to remain beneath the surface and flare again when temperatures or winds change.
The Park Authority said on Tuesday evening that the incident remained live and that continued dry weather required vigilance. It has asked visitors to follow emergency guidance and check current alerts before travelling.
Police Scotland’s latest published access information said an exclusion zone remained around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Abernethy. The C7 Cairngorm Ski Road remained closed at Coylumbridge, along with public access to Loch Morlich, to keep routes clear for emergency crews and partner organisations.
Walkers and visitors were being asked to stay away. People displaced by the fire who need access to collect belongings were instructed to register through Highland Council’s emergency contact arrangements rather than attempt to enter the exclusion zone independently.
The response has involved the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, Highland Council, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, RSPB staff, landowners, gamekeepers, estate workers, farmers, contractors and helicopter crews.
Firebreaks have been created across parts of the affected landscape, while aircraft and ground teams have worked to suppress flames and identify areas that continue to retain heat.
First Minister John Swinney visited Glenmore on Tuesday and met firefighters and representatives of organisations involved in the response. He also spoke to businesses affected by the closures and evacuations.
A separate very high wildfire-risk warning has been extended until Friday 24 July across the Central Highlands and much of southern and eastern Scotland.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked people in affected areas to avoid outdoor fires and barbecues completely. Cigarettes should be fully extinguished, glass and other litter should be removed, and any large fire in the open should be reported immediately through 999.
The warning follows the Cairngorms incident and a separate grass fire at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. It reflects the condition of vegetation and the ease with which fire can start and spread during prolonged dry weather.
No official cause has yet been announced for the Cairngorms fire.
Sources
https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/news/update-wildfire-at-cairngorms-national-park/
https://cairngorms.co.uk/news/glenmore-fire-update-21-july-at-5-30pm
https://cairngorms.co.uk/news/glenmore-fire-update-19-july-at-3pm
https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/17361/update-on-ongoing-wildfire-at-glenmore-20-07-2026
