Cairgorms Mountain Resort Remains Closed as Wildfire Under Control
25th July 2026
Last modified on August 3rd, 2026
The blaze that started almost three weeks ago is still smouldering with firefighters and appliances at the scene. It is unclear when Cairngorm Mountain Resort will re-open for summer activities. UPDATED
Monday 3rd August, Update
The resort has issued the following statement:
“Our focus remains on the ongoing wildfire response, and we continue to await further updates from Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Police Scotland regarding the road closure at Coylumbridge.
“As a reminder, all bookings remain paused this week.
“We will be contacting affected customers directly with updates as soon as we have more information.
“Thank you once again for your patience and understanding during this difficult time, and our sincere thanks go to everyone involved in the wildfire response for their continued hard work.”
Saturday 1st August, Update:
Cairngorm Mountain Resort remains closed over the weekend.
Image c/o Cairngorm Mountain Resort.
Wednesday 29th July, Update
Cooler weather and rain have helped to prevent further spread of a wildfire that has burned through 10 square miles.
The damaged area has been described as ‘apocalyptic’ by the National Park Authority.
Malcolm Smith, farming advisor to the Cairngorms National Park Authority, CNPA, said to the BBC: “You are passing through just bare forest now and birds flying about looking for their nests.”
“It is a really sad sight.
“You are used to these beautiful mountains all summer and seeing them covered in snow in winter.
“To see the fires getting up to where people ski you really wouldn’t have thought that was possible.”
Smith praised local communities for supporting firefighters, farmers and other volunteers.
RSPB Scotland said affected habitats should recover, but it was not known how long that would take.
Cairngorm wildfire. Image c/o Thurso Community Fire Station.
The Nethy Bridge Community Council chairman, Sandy McCook, said it was hoped rain that fell overnight and during Tuesday would make a “huge difference”.
The village was evacuated last weekend but residents have been allowed to return.
At its height, more than 500 firefighters were involved in the response.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, SFRS, said crews were tackling hotspots and any flare ups.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority said people should avoid the Glenmore, Abernethy and Loch Morlich areas because they were still unsafe due to the firefighting operation.
The ski resort of Cairngorm remains closed for summer activities with the access road shut.
SFRS said cooler weather and rain was assisting the firefighting effort, which has included help from volunteers.
“We are aware that there is a widespread and often strong smell of smoke throughout the area and beyond,” said a statement from SFRS,
“This is due to low lying cloud cover preventing proper dispersal of smoke at ground level.
“Please be assured that there is no immediate risk to public health, however we would always advise anyone affected by smoke to close their windows and doors as a precaution.”
Police Scotland said the wildfire was still a “significant incident” and it understood there were concerns among communities and landowners.
“I am extremely grateful to the community and volunteers for their continued support, at what has been a very difficult time,” said Chief Inspector Ross McCartney.
“We are aware of the impact road and access closures have on the local community and businesses and want to reassure that we will reopen roads as soon as it is safe to do so.”
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Monday 27th July, Update
Here is the latest report from Scottish Fire & Rescue Service:
Progress has been made in tackling the Cairngorms wildfire as aggressive firefighting operations continue today, Monday, 27 July.
It is estimated that the fire has affected an area of around 25 square kilometres, following an aerial assessment.
Improved weather conditions and a targeted effort to tackle the wildfire in key areas has resulted in a reduction in visible flames, however smouldering areas and burning spots in the ground remain.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will maintain a significant presence in the area until the incident is brought to a safe conclusion.
Firefighting is ongoing alongside partners and heavy machinery in the North and West of the incident, supported by helicopter waterbombing.
Around 70 firefighters remain on scene, with nine fire appliances, specialist wildfire resources and Wildfire Tactical Advisors.
Members of the public, walkers, and visitors are urged to continue to avoid the affected areas within the Cairngorms National Park. The area remains unsafe due to active firefighting operations.
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Sunday 26th July, Update
Emergency services are continuing an intensive operation to tackle the Cairngorms wildfire, following heavy rain and low wind conditions in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“We maintained a significant presence on scene overnight, supported by partner agencies and volunteers,” said a statement from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, SFRS.
The weather conditions have helped slow the fire and limit further spread with crews undertaking targeted and aggressive firefighting activity.
“We still have more than 75 firefighters, nine fire appliances and additional specialist resources on scene, supported by three helicopters conducting water-bombing operations,” added SFRS.
“This includes firefighters working with partners and volunteers with heavy machinery at the north edge of the incident to prevent further spread, and a visible presence in both Nethy Bridge and Tomintoul.”
More than 500 firefighters and staff from partners and community volunteers have been actively involved in or supported the response since the incident began.
Saturday 25th July, Update
Homes in the village of Nethy Bridge were evacuated on Friday night but Police Scotland said on Saturday evening that the fire was no longer considered a major incident.
The blaze has raged for the past 10 days and forced the evacuation of homes in the remote village.
On Saturday night, Supt Judy Hill, of Police Scotland, said there was “no longer the immediate threat which prompted the evacuation of properties in Nethy Bridge.”
“This is thanks to the efforts of fire crews, gamekeepers, contractors, partners and many others over the past 24 hours,” she said.
The First Minister, John Swinney, praised the “resilience and tireless efforts” of those on the ground to bring the blaze under control.
The fire broke out on Wednesday 15th June.
Though it was being contained a change in wind direction on Friday meant the village was under threat and a ‘major incident’ was declared.
“The scenes from Cairngorm Mountain over the past few days have been truly devastating,” said a statement from Cairngorm Mountain Resort on Saturday.
“Our utmost thanks go to everyone working tirelessly on the front lines to tackle the fire.
“We are supporting the response wherever we can.
“Last night, members of our team assisted with creating firebreaks near Nethy Bridge, and we will continue to help as efforts continue.”
We reported on the wildfire earlier on PlanetSKI:
More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the blaze that has damaged 2.3 square miles.
Smoke can be seen 59 miles away in Aberdeen.
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First Minister John Swinney held a meeting of the Scottish government’s resilience committee early on Saturday.
He said additional police and fire service resources were being deployed to assist with the evacuation.
He added that it was “essential people avoid the affected areas.”
“Ground and helicopter resources are being focused on the current path of the fire and new fire breaks constructed.”
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Some locals are saying the response by the authorities has been poor, but The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service has said the Cairngorms wildfire has been “appropriately resourced” from the start.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the fire remained “dynamic and unpredictable”.
A spokesman said: “Changing wind strength and direction can cause flare-ups, reignition and the spread of smoke, with conditions continuing to evolve.
“Firefighters remain deployed to tackle the incident across a vast and complex landscape, supported by ongoing helicopter water-bombing operations,” the SFRS spokesman added.
Cairngorms wildfire. Image c/o Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
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