Cairngorms wildfire update - 3 August, 2026
Road and access restrictions continue to be reviewed as part of the response to the ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park. A staged re-opening of the cordon at Glenmore is being finalised to enable the Refuel event at Badaguish to take place safely.
A strict cordon will be in place for access to the Refuel event, which will require proof of site access or a valid event ticket.
Safety for public and responders is at the heart of decision making around access and the need for exclusion zones while firefighting activity continues as there continues to be a public safety risk in the fire affected area. This includes moving heavy machinery and helicopter water bombing and this will continue for the rest of this week. Work also involves excavations and removing a significant number of unsafe trees.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, landowners and volunteers are working hard to extinguish the fire and cordons are being reviewed regularly. It is hoped that there will be more information available later this week about wider access.
Highland Council is hosting drop-in sessions for residents and businesses affected by the fire to find out what support is available to them.
Road closures that remain in place:
- C7 (Ski Road)
- Forest Lodge access road
- Lettoch Road
- Dorback
Walking routes that remain closed:
- Around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish
- Low level routes including Old Logging Way, routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy and Bynack More
- Within Abernethy Forest to the south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy
The photo in this post shows the damage to trees from the fire, which is causing them to be uprooted and fall over.
Photo credit: Forestry and Land Scotland