Satellite images show wildfire blazing through Cairngorms National Park

Key Points

Fire started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy on Wednesday morning
Homes, businesses and campsites remain evacuated for safety
Fire crews and specialist wildfire unit remain at scene
No reports of casualties
RSPB call for helicopter support
Reports of smoke blowing onto A9

Satellite images have shown the scale of a wildfire blazing through Scotland’s national park.

Fire crews have worked through the night to tackle the fire after it started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, on Wednesday.

Six fire appliances, a specialist wildfire unit and an additional 4×4 vehicle remain at the scene as of Thursday evening.

Police Scotland said it is coordinating a multi-agency response, and a number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution.

Highlands & Islands

Homes remain evacuated and public warned as wildfire develops at ‘steady pace’

Four fire appliances and a wildfire unit remain at the scene

Officers say they have assisted walkers off the hill and are advising remaining walkers to continue to make efforts to get to safety.

Wildfire in the Cairngorms that broke out on June 15, 2026. SFRS via Supplied

The C7 road, known locally as Ski Road, is closed at Coylumbridge. There are reports of smoke blowing onto the A9 carriageway.

A cordon has been erected and members of the public have been warned not to travel to Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area.

There have been no reports of any casualties.

Images from NASA’s FIRMS satellite-based heat-sensing platform have shown the scale of the fire.

Image from Nasa's FIRMS satellite-based heat-sensing platform show the scale of the fire — Image from Nasa’s FIRMS satellite-based heat-sensing platform show the scale of the fire Supplied

Lynne Gow, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) area commander based in the Highlands, said she is “absolutely certain” of the force’s plan to tackle the blaze, which is almost four miles in size and has been burning for more than 24 hours.

At a press conference on Thursday, Ms Gow was asked if she agreed with Health Secretary Neil Gray’s previous comments that the service has enough resources to fight the fire.

She said: “I would agree that we have adequate resources. We’re absolutely certain of our practical plan here.”

The RSPB, which runs the nearby Loch Garten nature reserve in the Scottish Highlands, previously said there is an “urgent” need for a firefighting helicopter.

Ms Gow responded to this, stating: “If helicopters are not available, we have direct and indirect means to fighting fire, and that’s what we’re deploying.”

She said: “A helicopter is not always the best resource for the reasons I’ve cited.

“It can also be a hazard for us, but it definitely provides a lot of area support.

“So, if our tactics are to use area support, then that would be the most appropriate way of dealing with it.”

“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.

“The wildfire risk across Scotland remains high. We are asking everyone to follow the advice in place, stay away from the affected area and help reduce the risk of further wildfires while our crews continue their work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”

‘Helicopter support critical’

The fire has burned more than 300 hectares according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which has more than 27 staff working to help contain the fire.

It comes after the fire broke out at the boundary of the Loch Garten nature reserve, which is managed by the charity.

Volunteers are using quad bikes, backpack hoses, pumps, leaf blowers, fire beaters and shovels to dig out smouldering areas.