Nethy Bridge Residents Return Home as Cairngorms Wildfire Threat Recedes

Residents of Nethy Bridge have been given the all-clear to return home after a major wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park no longer poses an immediate danger.

Superintendent Judy Hill of Police Scotland confirmed the decision, crediting the combined efforts of fire crews, gamekeepers, contractors, and partner agencies over the past 24 hours. “We are grateful to the community for their support and understanding during what has been a period of concern and disruption,” she said.

First Minister John Swinney welcomed the development, noting that firefighting efforts were now in their tenth day. “Changeable weather conditions have presented a range of challenges for those on the ground. I praise their resilience and tireless efforts to bring it under control,” he stated. Swinney added that while the major incident declaration had been lifted, the Scottish Government and emergency services would continue treating the wildfire with the utmost seriousness until it is fully extinguished.

Earlier in the day, Swinney had requested military assistance from the UK Government as more than 500 firefighters, specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopter water-bombing operations, and partner agencies battled the blaze that had burned for ten days and forced evacuations in the remote region.

Evacuees from Nethy Bridge were sheltered at a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel while access roads were closed amid fears the fire was advancing toward the village. Shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, residents were informed they could return.

Swinney had earlier warned that shifting wind conditions had “intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire,” with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) concentrating resources on establishing a firebreak.

The wildfire, which ignited near the village of Glenmore on 15 July, prompted the evacuation of residents and campsites. At its peak, it covered approximately 6 square kilometres (2.3 square miles) of heather and small trees, with smoke drifting as far as Aberdeen, roughly 60 miles (97 km) from the origin.

Claire Montague, 65, a retired GP, and her family were evacuated from their home on Friday. “We could see the smoke rising and when the wind changed direction we could see the flames – it was pretty scary and felt pretty close although it was still a few kilometres away,” she recalled.

“We could see lots of smoke today when we popped back home, masses coming from a very large area. It is not contained by any means. It was absolutely terrifying, nothing like I’ve felt before. The Dava Moor fire last summer was farther away from us. Thankfully they have managed to put in a firebreak.”

Montague added: “Where the fire started is the original area of the Caledonian forest, a desperately important ecosystem, which they were trying very hard to preserve and expand. The whole land had to be bulldozed for the firebreak, which is desperately sad.”

Senior emergency service officials emphasized that firefighters “continue to work across a vast and challenging landscape alongside Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and emergency service partners. Their expertise, local knowledge and support have been instrumental in helping crews respond to this complex and dynamic incident.”

On Saturday, the SFRS advised residents in Tomintoul — about 10 miles (16 km) east of Nethy Bridge — to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke from the wildfire.

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