[from Strathdearn Community Council]

For Immediate Release

The community of Strathdearn, which includes the Tomatin and Moy areas, expresses deep concern at the ongoing wildfire in the Glenmore area of the Cairngorms National Park and reports of limited resources being available to tackle it.

As neighbouring communities with similar terrain and environmental risks, we stand in full support of the concerns raised by Mr McCook, Chair of Nethy Bridge Community Council.

Lessons Must Be Learned

Recent wildfires have demonstrated the scale of the threat facing rural communities, protected landscapes and nationally important habitats.

The 2025 Dava Moor fire, now recognised as the UK’s first megafire, should have been a decisive warning that current arrangements are not sufficient to deal with the speed and intensity of modern wildfire events.

When large wildfires take hold, specialist aerial support, wildfire units and coordinated resources must be available within hours, not days.

Reliance on local fire crews, land managers and volunteers alone places too heavy a burden on communities and risks avoidable damage to homes, businesses, wildlife and fragile ecosystems.

Protecting the Cairngorms and Communities

The Cairngorms National Park is a landscape of national importance, valued for its wildlife, culture, heritage and economic significance.

As development extends further into rural and upland areas, including wind farm infrastructure and associated access routes, the risk and complexity of wildfire incidents will continue to increase.

Our Call to Government

We call on both the Scottish Government and the UK Government to work together urgently to establish a robust national wildfire response capability.

This should include:

  • Rapid access to specialist wildfire equipment and trained personnel.
  • Clear arrangements for aerial firefighting support when required.
  • Coordinated UK-wide contingency planning for major wildfire incidents.
  • Proper support for local fire services, land managers and community volunteers.
  • Long-term planning to protect rural communities, habitats and critical infrastructure.

Warnings, fines and public messaging are not enough on their own.

Scotland and the wider UK need a resilient, properly resourced wildfire response system that reflects the reality of a changing climate and the growing risk to communities such as ours.

We thank the firefighters, emergency services, land managers, volunteers and local organisations currently working in difficult conditions to protect people, property and the natural environment.