Heavy rain is helping firefighters tackle the Glenmore–Strath Nethy wildfire, but the prolonged incident is also raising fresh questions about whether Scotland’s fire service has the resources needed for a future of larger and more frequent wildfires.
Almost two weeks after the fire began near Glenmore on July 15, the blaze continues to smoulder across around 25–30 square kilometres of peatland and woodland in the Cairngorms.
Around 70 firefighters and nine appliances remain involved in the operation, with helicopters and drones continuing to target hotspots and support efforts to prevent further spread.
Nethy Bridge community council chair Sandy McCook said the overnight and continuing rain “will undoubtedly make a huge difference to the firefighting effort”, although smoke continues to linger over the area and residents remain advised to avoid Glenmore, Abernethy and Loch Morlich. Large areas of peat are still burning below the surface, with crews working alongside aircraft and heavy machinery in difficult terrain.
Major incident response
Police Scotland declared a major incident on July 24, triggering a multi-agency response and an offer of military support from the UK Government. Justice secretary Neil Gray defended the decision not to accept UK military helicopters, saying the operational requirement was for specialist water-bombing aircraft and that firefighters on the ground had the resources required.
The scale of the incident, however, has renewed debate about how prepared Scotland is for increasingly challenging wildfire conditions. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has warned it must deliver significant savings over the next four years under current spending plans, while also consulting on changes to its service model.
Parliamentary discussions around creating a “fit for the future” fire service have increasingly highlighted wildfires and flooding as emerging risks.
Funding and future demands
Although SFRS’s budget has increased in cash terms in recent years, unions and some politicians argue that funding has not kept pace with inflation, rising operational pressures and the changing nature of emergencies. The Fire Brigades Union has warned of a long-term reduction in firefighter numbers and argues that savings have reduced resilience across communities.
The debate has become particularly relevant in areas vulnerable to wildfire, where incidents can require large numbers of firefighters, specialist equipment and prolonged operations. For communities watching the Cairngorms blaze, the question is whether current resources are sufficient for a future where longer dry periods and changing weather patterns increase wildfire risks.
Local fire cover under review
The issue is particularly significant in Nethy Bridge, where the village’s fire station was formally closed by the SFRS board in June after remaining out of service since 2013. The nearest appliances are now based at Grantown-on-Spey.
SFRS said the decision followed consultation and engagement with communities, with more than 3600 responses received as part of its Service Delivery Review. The review includes changes to stations across Scotland, with the service describing the proposals as a way of ensuring resources match risk and demand.
SFRS chair Mhairi Wylie said the changes were about achieving “parity and fairness across communities” and delivering best value. However, the Fire Brigades Union has criticised the plans, warning that closures and changes to duty systems could reduce fire cover and increase risks to communities and the environment.
Preparing for a changing climate
The Cairngorms wildfire has also highlighted the importance of local preparedness. The Cairngorms National Park Authority has developed an Integrated Wildfire Management Plan and supported training, equipment and resources for rural teams, estates and land managers.
Funding has helped provide specialist fogging units, protective equipment and vehicles designed to operate in remote landscapes. These local networks are intended to complement the work of the national fire service as wildfire risks increase.
For now, rain is offering some relief to Glenmore and Nethy Bridge, with McCook saying the community will continue to support the response while representing residents’ concerns.
But as crews continue to tackle peat fires beneath the surface of the Cairngorms landscape, the incident is becoming an important test of how Scotland prepares for a future in which major wildfires may become more frequent.
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