Cairngorms cordon may move as wildfire risks remain

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-31 10:47 3 min read

Fallen pine trees lie in a charred forest floor filled with thick gray smoke.

A section of the Cairngorms wildfire exclusion zone could reopen in phases from Friday, 31 July, but only after emergency services confirm that strict safety measures are in place. Until that confirmation is issued, visitors should treat all current road and walking-route closures as active and stay outside the cordon.

By Beehive Web Newsroom | 30 July 2026

The first proposed change would move the cordon beside Coylumbridge Hotel approximately three kilometres farther up the Ski Road. It would improve access to part of the area, but it would not amount to a general reopening of Glenmore, Loch Morlich or the surrounding mountain routes.

Friday reopening remains provisional

Emergency services hope to introduce the reduced exclusion zone on Friday, although no exact time has been confirmed. The change depends on every agency involved in the multi-agency emergency response being satisfied that operational safeguards and other required measures have been completed.

This means travellers should not set out on the assumption that the Ski Road will reopen at the start of the day. Any movement of the cordon will be confirmed only after a final safety assessment.

The exclusion zone has remained in place since the wildfire was reported on 15 July. The response is now entering its third week, with the affected area estimated at about 25 square kilometres.

Cordon would move three kilometres up Ski Road

Once the agreed conditions are met, the checkpoint at Coylumbridge Hotel will be relocated farther along the Ski Road. That is intended to be the first stage of a phased reopening rather than the removal of the wider exclusion zone.

Road closures remain at the Ski Road until the phased change is authorised, as well as the Forest Lodge access road, Lettoch Road and Dorback. People planning a journey should continue to follow the existing restrictions until agencies announce otherwise.

Walking routes around Glenmore and Loch Morlich also remain closed. These include the Old Logging Way and approaches to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall a’ Bhuachaille, Lochan Uaine, Strath Nethy and Bynack More. Abernethy Forest remains restricted south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy.

Visitors can review the existing Cairngorms route restrictions before travelling. Previous changes allowing Nethy Bridge residents to return did not signal the end of firefighting operations elsewhere.

Peat hotspots and helicopter operations continue

More than 70 firefighters, nine fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources remain deployed alongside partner agencies, land managers, estate workers and volunteers. Work includes targeted firefighting, helicopter waterbombing, tree felling, building firebreaks and exposing hotspots buried within peat.

Deep-seated peat fires can continue smouldering below the surface and may not be obvious to someone approaching the incident area. Other hazards identified by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service include unstable ground, heavy machinery, helicopter movements and the possibility of reignition.

Crews are working across remote terrain and along an extensive smouldering fire edge. Helicopters remain necessary where ground teams cannot reach safely, while heavy machinery is creating trench firebreaks and opening peat layers so hidden hotspots can be extinguished.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour said public safety remained the priority despite the significant progress made during the previous two weeks. He acknowledged the disruption experienced by residents, businesses and visitors while stressing that further cordon changes would be introduced only when agencies considered them safe.

A photograph accompanying the official update was credited to Forestry and Land Scotland.

Smoke precautions remain in force around Glenmore

Smoke and steam may become more visible across Glenmore as crews continue damping down and exposing hot material. Increased smoke does not by itself confirm that access restrictions have changed.

Anyone affected by smoke should keep windows and doors closed as a precaution. People with health concerns are advised to seek guidance from NHS Highland.

The next confirmed milestone will be the multi-agency decision on Friday, 31 July, establishing whether the Coylumbridge Hotel cordon can safely move three kilometres up the Ski Road and when that change can take effect.

Source: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This report is based on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service update published on 30 July 2026.

Checks

Confirmed that the proposed Friday change remains subject to final safety conditions.
Distinguished the Coylumbridge cordon movement from a wider reopening.
Checked the named road and walking-route closures against the official update.
Retained the official smoke precautions and NHS Highland advice.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News Check wider coverage