CAIRNGORMS — Police Scotland declared a major incident and ordered the evacuation of the entire village of Nethy Bridge on July 15, 2025, as a wildfire spread through the Cairngorms National Park. The blaze, which originated near the village of Glenmore, prompted authorities to close access roads and move residents to safety as smoke drifted across the region.

The fire covered an area of about 6 sq km of heather and small trees at its height. Smoke from the fire drifted as far as Aberdeen, approximately 60 miles (97km) from the start point. Residents of Nethy Bridge were taken to a respite center at the Macdonald Aviemore hotel following the order to leave their homes.

Judy Hill, a Police Scotland Superintendent, stated that changing weather patterns complicated the emergency response. "The weather conditions experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation," Hill said. She explained the rationale for the large-scale evacuation, noting that "with evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, the decision has been taken to declare a major incident and evacuate residents as a precaution."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) mobilized more than 500 firefighters to deal with the blaze.

Crews focused resources on creating a firebreak to halt the advance of the flames. Specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, and helicopter water-bombing operations were deployed to support ground efforts. The SFRS also warned residents in Tomintoul, located about 10 miles (16km) east of Nethy Bridge, to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

First Minister John Swinney chaired a meeting of the Scottish government’s resilience room (SGoRR) to coordinate the response. The SGoRR meeting included senior emergency service personnel and government ministers. Swinney acknowledged the challenges posed by the environment, stating that "changing wind conditions had intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire." He expressed appreciation for the emergency crews, saying, "I am extremely grateful to all the first responders who have been working hard to control this fire since it was first reported last Wednesday." Swinney added that "I remain in continued contact with SFRS and partners and SGORR will convene again."

The incident occurred in a region with a documented history of wildfire activity. Police Scotland has previously declared a major incident for wildfires in the Cairngorms region, including a similar event in 2021 when over 100 firefighters were deployed to control a blaze in the same area. In 2018, a wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park destroyed over 200 hectares of forest, leading to a review of emergency response protocols and the introduction of new firebreak strategies to protect nearby villages.

Nethy Bridge, a village of approximately 600 residents in Highland, Scotland, has historically been vulnerable to wildfires due to its proximity to the Cairngorms National Park and the dry heathland terrain that surrounds it. The village has been the site of multiple small-scale wildfires in the past five years, with one notable incident in 2022 that forced limited road closures and temporarily impacted local tourism. In 2021, Police Scotland issued a public warning about the risks of wildfires in the Cairngorms due to the region's dry conditions and high fire danger, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance from residents and visitors.

The ecological impact of such fires is significant for the protected landscape. Cairngorms National Park is home to one of the last remaining ancient Caledonian forests, a habitat critical for endangered species such as the capercaillie, which has been impacted by the recent wildfire. The park was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in 1993 due to its ecological importance, including its role as a key habitat for rare and protected wildlife, which has been threatened by the current wildfire. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has recorded over 200 major wildfire incidents in the Cairngorms National Park since 2010, with an average of 20 per year, showing the ongoing risk to the region.

The evacuation of Nethy Bridge and the declaration of a major incident reflect the persistent wildfire risk in the Cairngorms National Park, a designated Special Protection Area critical for endangered species. With over 200 major wildfire incidents recorded in the park since 2010, the region faces an ongoing threat to its ancient Caledonian forests and the communities situated within them. The scale of the response, involving more than 500 firefighters and coordinated government action, reflects the seriousness with which authorities treat these recurring environmental hazards.