Cairngorms National Park blaze contained as risk stays high

Emergency crews have contained a large wildfire at Cairngorms National Park after it burned for more than 24 hours, Scotland's justice secretary Neil Gray said. The blaze near Ryvoan Bothy spread more than two miles, prompting precautionary evacuations. A very high wildfire risk warning remains until Monday.

Key Takeaways

• Scotland's justice secretary Neil Gray said the Cairngorms National Park wildfire is "currently contained" after more than 24 hours.
• The fire began near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, at about 11:50 on Wednesday and spread across more than two miles (3.5km).
• RSPB Scotland said roughly 300 hectares had burned; nearby homes, villages and campsites were evacuated as a precaution.
• A very high wildfire warning for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland remains in place until Monday.
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were still on scene, with no reported casualties and the cause still unknown.

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What happened at Cairngorms National Park?

According to BBC News live coverage, a large-scale wildfire took hold at Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, at about 11:50 on Wednesday.

Within 24 hours, the blaze spread across more than two miles (3.5km) of dry land. Sky News reported that the fire affected a near four-mile (about 6km) stretch of heathland, heather and small trees inside the UK's largest national park.

High winds helped the flames move through trees and woodland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority said, as firefighters worked with landowners to create fire breaks and limit further spread.

The authority described the incident near Ryvoan Bothy as "deeply concerning" and thanked crews tackling the fire. It echoed Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) advice for the public to avoid the area while operations continued.

Is the Cairngorms National Park wildfire under control?

Neil Gray, Scotland's justice secretary, said the wildfire was "currently contained" thanks to "the exceptional work of firefighters" who had been on the scene since Wednesday morning.

Containment does not mean the emergency is over. SFRS said the incident remained protracted. Six appliances were still at the site, with flames continuing at a "steady pace" through grassy ground, heather and small trees.

BBC reporting also noted a specialist wildfire unit and a 4x4 vehicle among resources still committed. Deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin said crews expected to remain for the remainder of the day and thanked firefighters working in challenging conditions.

SFRS said there were no reported casualties. Officials also said it was "far too early" to identify what started the fire.

Who was evacuated and which areas stay closed?

Police said evacuations were carried out as a precaution. Nearby villages, campsites and homes were cleared, and some homes remained evacuated while crews worked.

Sky News reported that homes and businesses in the Glenmore Forest Park area, including campsites, were among those evacuated. The C7 road, known locally as Ski Road, was closed.

Authorities urged people not to travel to the area or try to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich and surrounding ground while firefighting continued. A strict cordon remained in place to keep routes clear for emergency vehicles.

The blaze sat on the southern boundary of the Loch Garten Nature Reserve in Abernethy, which is owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). RSPB Scotland said approximately 300 hectares of land had burned. Staff and volunteers supported the response as the fire threatened the reserve boundary.

Why does the Cairngorms National Park warning still matter?

Even after containment, a very high wildfire warning for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland stayed in force until Monday. Gray said the warning was issued on Wednesday and continued across those areas.

Hot, dry conditions have raised wildfire risk across Scotland. Emergency leaders asked the public to stay vigilant, follow official advice and stay away from the affected zone so crews can finish the job safely.

Cairngorms National Park, established in 2003, is the largest national park in the UK. Sky News noted it is home to around 18,000 people and welcomes about two million visitors a year, covering parts of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus and Perthshire. A multi-day blaze in a popular outdoor destination therefore matters for residents, visitors and local businesses that depend on safe access to trails, forests and campsites.

McMeekin asked everyone to follow advice in place, stay away from the affected area and help cut the risk of further wildfires while crews work toward a safe conclusion.

What should visitors and locals do now?

Do not travel into the fire zone. Avoid Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich and nearby roads while closures and cordons remain active. Keep routes clear for emergency services.

Treat the very high wildfire warning seriously until Monday. Stay vigilant in dry conditions and check official updates before heading into Highland outdoor areas.

Monitor statements from SFRS, Police Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park Authority for reopening notices. Contained status can change if winds shift or dry fuels reignite, so travel plans should stay flexible until authorities confirm the area is safe.

Gray praised police, landowners and volunteers for helping keep people and the environment as safe as possible. He said the Scottish Government was monitoring the situation closely and that SFRS had confirmed adequate resources were committed to the incident.

The bottom line for now is simple: the Cairngorms National Park blaze is contained after a rapid overnight spread, but crews remain on site, evacuations and closures still apply in places, and the wider wildfire risk warning has not been lifted.