2026 Cairngorms wildfire

2026 Cairngorms wildfire
Part of the 2026 United Kingdom wildfires
View of the wildfire's glow from Aviemore (pictured 25 July)
Date
  • 15 July 2026 –
LocationCairngorms, Scotland
Coordinates57°06′N 3°39′W / 57.1°N 3.65°W / 57.1; -3.65
Statistics
StatusOngoing wildfire
Land useNational park
Impacts
Evacuated~700, likely higher
Map
2026 Cairngorms wildfire is located in Highland
2026 Cairngorms wildfire
Location of the fire in the Scottish Highlands
2026 Cairngorms wildfire is located in Scotland
2026 Cairngorms wildfire
2026 Cairngorms wildfire (Scotland)

On 15 July 2026, a major wildfire broke out in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. The wildfire spread and affected areas such as Glenmore and An Lochan Uaine, and caused significant damage to the Caledonian Forest,[1][2] causing Scots Pine, a declining ancient tree species in the region, to be damaged or destroyed. It has been called "apocalyptic" in its scale and damage.[3]

The wildfire lead to an evacuation of Glenmore, Badaguish, Cairngorm Mountain ski resort, and other camping sites in the surrounding region,[4] with a flare-up later causing an evacuation of residents in Nethy Bridge.

Residents in the surrounding region considered the wildfire response and the declaration of a major incident too slow with residents in Nethy Bridge considered the evacuation plan disorganised.[5] Another criticism was that the wildfire was reported numerous times as "under control", though it continued to spread.

The wildfire front grew to a recorded size of 25 kilometres (16 mi) wide by 27 July.[6] No casualties were reported to have occurred.

Events

Wildfire smoke visible in Aberdeenshire (the damage in the foreground is from a different fire)

The fire originated near Ryvoan bothy near Nethy Bridge in heathland on 15 July. The wildfire continued to grow, and residents in Glenmore and Badaguish were evacuated because of the close proximity of the wildfire.[7] On 16 July the International Charter Space and Major Disasters was activated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), which provided wide albeit contingent humanitarian satellite coverage.[8]

For the first two days the wildfire burned, helicopters could not be called to the scene because they were "preoccupied" with another wildfire occurring south of the border. Upon their arrival on the 17th, they began providing significant assistance in controlling the wildfire.[7][9] On the same day, a high-volume water pump system was set up to drain from from Loch Morlich to fill An Lochan Uaine to assist firefighting operations. Over 50 firefighters were reported to be attending the scene.[10][11]

On 20 July, the wildfire was reported to be "largely surrounded", noting that the road leading to the Cairngorms would likely be blocked for a few days because of the firefighting equipment. Gamekeepers, farmers, local contractors and estate workers were also reported to have been of assistance to fire crews throughout.[12]

On 24 July, winds picked up, causing the wildfire to rapidly burn and expand. The smoke reached Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.[13][14][15] The village of Nethy Bridge was evacuated that evening because of the increased proximity of the fire.[16][17][18] They were allowed to return the following day.[19] The wildfire was officially declared a major incident after the flare-up.[1]

Rain fell in the area from 26 July, raising hopes that it would help begin to extinguish the fire.[20] Firefighters continued to damp down hotspots as of 12 August.[21]

Government response

Many residents in the region considered the Scottish government's response to the wildfire to have been mishandled, chaotic and slow. Military support, which included non-water bombing helicopters and military battalions was rejected, with Minister Neil Gray stating that firefighters on the ground had the resources needed.[22]

The Scottish Greens called for an emergency fund to be created to support residents and businesses affected by the wildfire.[20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Major incident declared and village evacuated as Cairngorms wildfire spreads". The Herald. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Suter, Ruth; Hanlon, Tim (15 July 2026). "Raging wildfire sparks evacuation of UK homes as residents told 'leave pets'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "'Apocalyptic' damage as Cairngorms wildfire burns for two weeks". www.bbc.com. 29 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Cameron, Lucinda (16 July 2026). "Scotland's Cairngorm Mountain evacuated as firefighters continue to tackle wildfire". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Cairngorm residents say wildfire response 'too slow'". BBC News. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "'Apocalyptic' Cairngorms wildfire scorches 25 sq km as 70 firefighters still on scene". The Herald. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  7. 1 2 Lyst, Live ReportingBy Catherine; Bonar, Megan; Hastie, Paul. "Emergency teams work to contain Cairngorms National Park blaze". BBC News. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Wildfire in United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland - Charter Activations | The International Charter: Space And Major Disasters". disasterscharter.org.
  9. ↑ "Wildfire still burning as helicopters waterbomb Cairngorms". BBC News. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Firefighters drawing water from scenic loch to tackle Cairngorms wildfire". The Herald. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "More than 50 firefighters, nine applicances [sic] and two helicopters support ongoing response to Glenmore wildfire". Strathspey Herald. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Cairngorms wildfire 'now largely surrounded', fire crews report". The Herald. 19 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Lyst, Catherine (24 July 2026). "Highland wildfire smoke blows into Aberdeen - 59 miles away". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Duncan, Abbie; Taylor, Lauren (24 July 2026). "Cairngorms wildfire smoke blots out sun over Aberdeenshire". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Fulton, Matthew; O'Neill, Christina (24 July 2026). "Smoke from Cairngorms wildfire blows into Aberdeen causing poor air quality". STV News. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Police declare 'major incident' as wind change increases Cairngorms wildfire risk". BBC News. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Hay, Katharine (24 July 2026). "Major incident declared in Cairngorms as hundreds of villagers evacuated". The Scotsman. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Glen, Louise (24 July 2026). "Nethy Bridge evacuations underway as Police Scotland declares major incident in Cairngorms". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Nethy Bridge: Residents allowed to return after evacuation from Cairngorms wildfire". BBC News. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Rain brings hope of relief for fire crews fighting Cairngorms wildfire". BBC News. 28 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  21. ↑ Fulton, Matthew (12 August 2026). "'Very high' wildfire warning as crews tackle Cairngorms blaze four weeks on". STV.
  22. ↑ Bews, Lynsey (27 July 2026). "Minister defends decision to reject UK military help to fight Cairngorms wildfire". BBC News. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
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