Nethy Bridge residents wait as wildfire risk remains

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-25 14:53 3 min read

Aerial view of a Scottish Highland mountain with dense trees and wispy low mist.

By the demoduck.co.uk News Desk | Reporting from a Police Scotland statement on the major incident declared Friday, 24 July 2026.

Police Scotland’s major-incident response to the large fire in Cairngorms National Park remains under way, with every property in Nethy Bridge evacuated. Precautionary evacuations are also being carried out in a small area north-west of Dorback Lodge at Lain Thatchan.

The major incident was declared following a change in the weather. Police said the wind had eased slightly compared with the previous day, but a risk to Nethy Bridge remained. People must continue to avoid affected parts of the park because of active firefighting, rapidly changing fire conditions and helicopter operations.

Evacuees directed to the Aviemore respite centre

Police said officers had spoken to residents at every property within the exclusion zone. Some evacuees went to the designated respite centre at MacDonald Aviemore Resort, while others made alternative arrangements.

Residents leaving the affected areas can still use the resort as the designated place of respite. Those directly affected are receiving information about when they may be able to return to their homes, but no return time has been confirmed.

Nethy Bridge residents wait as wildfire risk remains

The evacuation north-west of Dorback Lodge is being conducted as a precaution. There are no current plans to evacuate further areas, although Police Scotland and its partner agencies have prepared contingency arrangements in case conditions change and other nearby communities need to be cleared.

Smoke warning extends into Aberdeenshire and Moray

People living in the affected areas, along with communities currently experiencing smoke from the fire, have been told to keep all windows and doors closed. Police Scotland said the warning includes smoke-affected parts of Aberdeenshire and Moray.

Anyone concerned about the health effects of the smoke should consult the information provided by NHS Highland. The police notice does not extend that instruction into broader medical advice, so residents are being directed to the health authority’s guidance for individual concerns.

Paths remain closed during firefighting operations

The closures around Glenmore and Loch Morlich remain part of a wider set of access restrictions across Cairngorms National Park. Police have asked residents, visitors and recreational users to stay away from the following locations:

Paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish.
The Old Logging Way and other low-level routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch, Strath Nethy and Bynack More.
Paths through Abernethy Forest, south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy.

The restrictions are intended to keep members of the public away from active firefighting, aircraft movements and conditions that may change quickly. No reopening time has been announced.

Additional resources remain at the fire scene

Police Scotland said additional resources had been deployed as emergency services continued working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. Superintendent Judy Hill acknowledged that the situation remained concerning for residents, businesses and visitors across the Cairngorms area.

Enough heavy machinery and plant equipment has now been identified for the response. Officials said no additional items are required and thanked those who responded to the earlier request.

Residents will receive direct return-home updates

The current position could change if the fire or weather conditions alter, but emergency planning for that possibility does not amount to a new evacuation order. Police have urged people to rely on official information rather than approaching the restricted area for updates.

Those directly affected will be contacted about when they may return home. Until then, members of the public should avoid the affected areas and follow instructions issued by Police Scotland and the emergency services.

Source: Police Scotland News

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Source check How this report was checked

This report follows Police Scotland’s operational statement and separates confirmed instructions from contingency planning.

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