Officials in Thailand’s Nakhon Nayok are confident that they will be able to control the forest fires today (Sunday), if weather conditions are suitable for fire fighters to do their job. Only 10% of the areas that were burning still need to be extinguished.

Members of the Disaster Response Association said that the sky has been cloudy since this morning, giving firefighters confidence that they would be able control the fires today, as drones were being used to pinpoint the locations of the fires to help helicopters to drop water with greater accuracy and to guide firefighters on foot patrol.

Aussawin Romprasert, president of the Disaster Response Association, said that large drones were also being used to deliver supplies to fire fighters on the mountains, while smaller ones were used to pinpoint the locations of fires.

Most fires were concentrated in valleys near Khao Nang Dam, where there are a lot of large trees and bamboo. Two helicopters were deployed to drop water in this area.

He said that, according to weather reports, rain is expected in Nakhon Nayok over the next few days and this will help in fire control.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, acting director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, boarded a helicopter today to observe fires at Khao Cha Phlu, Khao Laem and Khao Tabaek, where about 288 hectares of forest have been ravaged by fire.

Officials said, however, that Khao Yai National Park has, so far, been spared.