Firefighters and volunteers have successfully contained forest fires in the Sakaerach Research Centre of Khao Phu Luang National Forest Reserve in Wang Nam Khio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, after they had destroyed about 800 hectares of the deciduous forest.
According to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, four hotspots were detected by satellite yesterday morning. The number of hotspots increased to 21, covering a large area of deciduous forest in Udomsap sub-district.
More than 200 firefighters and volunteers from several fire stations were mobilised to control the fires, with the help of a helicopter from the Digital Technology and Aviation Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. A drone was also launched to monitor the fire and guide firefighters.
The fires were brought under control by about 10pm last night, but several firefighters have remained at the scene to prevent fires from reigniting.
