Glenmore and Loch Morlich closed as wildfire spreads

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-21 12:09 3 min read

Thick white smoke rises from a hillside wildfire over blackened, scorched mountain terrain.

By demoduck.co.uk News Desk | 16 July 2026

A wildfire covering approximately six square kilometres near Glenmore in the Cairngorms National Park remains the focus of a major emergency response. The public has been told not to travel to Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting continues.

A strict cordon and road closures remained in force on Thursday afternoon. Several properties and visitor centres have been evacuated as a precaution, while crews continue working to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure.

Six square kilometres affected near Glenmore

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted shortly before noon on Wednesday, 15 July. By 3.30pm on Thursday, the fire was still moving at a steady pace through 10-inch heather and small trees.

The reported footprint of approximately six square kilometres establishes the scale of the affected ground, but the service’s update did not identify the fire’s cause or provide an estimate for when it might be extinguished. Conditions and the potential need for further evacuations remain under continuous assessment.

Firefighters worked through Wednesday night to defend nearby buildings and the surrounding area. Crews have also created firebreaks with landowners and partner agencies in an effort to contain the spread and protect infrastructure.

RSPB rangers are supporting the operation, including by using a drone to monitor the incident. The aerial view gives emergency teams another way to track activity across terrain affected by the wildfire.

Six appliances and specialist crews remain deployed

Six fire appliances, a specialist wildfire unit and an additional 4×4 vehicle remained at the scene on Thursday. Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin described the response as a “protracted incident” and thanked firefighters, landowners, local organisations and partner agencies for their work in challenging conditions.

“The safety of our communities remains our priority, and we will continue to assess the need for any further evacuations alongside multi-agency partners as the incident progresses,” he said.

Properties and visitor centres close to the wildfire remain evacuated as a safety measure. Residents or visitors who are instructed to leave must do so immediately; the service said evacuation decisions are made where there is a genuine risk to public safety.

No access to Loch Morlich or Glenmore Forest Park

People must not attempt to enter Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or nearby ground. The cordon is supporting emergency operations and reducing the risk of members of the public entering an active fire area.

Road closures also remain in place, although the service’s Thursday update did not name individual roads or give reopening times. Anyone considering travel towards Glenmore should treat the area as closed and avoid approaching cordons to check access in person.

A later Glenmore wildfire access update provides further context on the continuing restrictions and the position of displaced residents.

McMeekin said the wildfire risk across Scotland remained high and asked people to follow the restrictions while crews work to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. Any additional evacuations will be determined by changing conditions and the continuing multi-agency assessment.

Source: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News

Context & actions About this article

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This report reflects the operational details and public-safety instructions issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Checks

Matched the reported fire footprint to the service’s estimate of approximately six square...
Confirmed the response resources recorded at 3.30pm on 16 July.
Retained the no-travel instruction for Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich and the surround...
Distinguished confirmed closures and evacuations from details not supplied, including name...

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News Check wider reporting