A major wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park is no longer advancing, but the job is not finished. Crews are still dealing with hotspots across a large stretch of burnt ground, and access around Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich remains shut.
The fire has now been burning for four days, after starting near Ryvoan Bothy, close to Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning. Around homes, businesses, campsites and ski resorts in the area were evacuated as a precaution.
Officials say the weather has helped, but the scale of the damage is already large, and the recovery could take years.
Fire Spread Across A Large Section Of The Cairngorms
The blaze moved through heathland from Ryvoan Bothy and spread across a fire zone measuring around six kilometres by Thursday afternoon. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says an estimated four square kilometres of ground has been burnt.
That is a substantial hit for a national park already known for fragile habitats and slow-growing woodland. Much of the concern now is not just about stopping the flames, but about what survives once the smoke clears.
Ben Jones, RSPB Scotland’s Abernethy site manager, said the damp weather made a difference and helped crews get on top of the fire. He said the blaze is no longer advancing on Abernethy land and, as understood, across the wider fire zone, but he also warned that hotspots remain.
That is the problem with this sort of incident. Even when the main front calms down, the ground can stay hot enough to flare up again if conditions change.
What Crews Are Doing On The Ground
Around 50 firefighters were at the scene on Saturday, using specialist pumps to draw water from Loch Morlich and build firebreaks. A helicopter has also been used to support the response from the air.
Area commander Lynne Gow said the helicopter adds another operational option in difficult terrain and said aerial support works alongside the ground response. She also said fixed-wing aircraft were considered, but only if conditions fit the wider tactical plan.
The operation has also drawn in estate workers, gamekeepers, farmers, RSPB staff and volunteers. Forty-six RSPB staff and volunteers have been helping on the front line, using all-terrain vehicles fitted with water bowsers, backpack hoses and shovels.
Why Glenmore Forest Park And Loch Morlich Are Off Limits
A strict cordon remains in place, with no access to Glenmore Forest Park or Loch Morlich. Emergency services have told the public to stay away while firefighting continues.
That sort of closure can be frustrating if you had plans in the area, but the reasoning is straightforward enough. The ground is still unstable in places, crews need room to work, and the risk of flare-ups is still there.
Aviemore is now reported to be no longer in the immediately affected area of wildfire operations, which is some relief for anyone based there or planning to stay nearby. Even so, the wider alert for the central Highlands remains serious.
Environmental Damage Could Take Years To Undo
The fire has already burnt through roughly 300 hectares of RSPB land, and the group says the effects on local biodiversity are devastating. That includes young Scots pine, broadleaved trees, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals and birds.
Ben Jones said the landscape is regenerating, with young trees coming through, and that it will take time to see how many survive. That is the slow, expensive kind of damage wildfires leave behind. The flames move fast, but recovery can drag on for years.
For anyone who knows the Cairngorms well, the concern is easy to understand. This is not just open ground. It is a living landscape with restoration work already under way in places, and wildfire can wipe out years of patient progress in a few hours.
Local Frustration Over The Response
Some residents have criticised the response, including delays linked to water-dropping aircraft. Laura Hänsler, who helps administer the Aviemore and Spey Valley Community Forum, said the situation should have been declared a national incident and argued that military support was needed.
The Scottish Government defended the operation. Justice Secretary Neil Gray said he has confidence in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and pointed to its ability to draw on expertise and resources from across the country.
That split is familiar in major emergencies. People closest to the danger often want the biggest response available immediately, while agencies have to weigh resources, weather, terrain and tactics.
Wildfire Warning Still In Force Across The Highlands
The public warning remains in place across the central Highlands, as well as southern and eastern Scotland, with the Scottish Wildfire Forum and the fire service warning of a very high risk of further wildfires in the hot weather.
- Stay away from Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich
- Do not enter the cordoned area
- Expect disruption if you had outdoor plans in the wider Cairngorms area
- Watch wildfire alerts before heading out anywhere in the Highlands
That advice matters for hillwalkers, campers, day-trippers and anyone tempted by a last-minute drive into the park. Dry ground, strong winds and a single spark are not a great mix, and Scotland has already seen enough warnings this week to make the point.
For now, the good news is that the main fire is said to be under better control than it was earlier in the week. The less good news is that the incident is still active, the risk remains high, and the landscape around Glenmore will be dealing with the consequences for a long time.
