Forest fires, suspected to have been caused by human activity, have been raging uncontrollably in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang and Mae Hong Son, driving PM2.5 levels beyond the 37.5-micron safety threshold, according to reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Several hundred firefighters and volunteers, along with heavy equipment, helicopters and drones, have been mobilised to contain the fires, which appear to be intensifying due to the hot weather.
A total of 180 hotspots were detected in Chiang Mai province between January 1 and February 16, particularly in eight southern districts. For example, real-time images transmitted from a drone showed fires raging in a line across an area of about 4.8 hectares in Ban Sahakorn in Mae On district.
In Mae Tha district of Lamphun, fires were detected on high mountains, making it difficult for firefighters to access the area. As a precautionary measure, firebreaks were created to prevent the blaze from spreading.
In Mae Hong Son province, about 16 hectares of forest in Muang and Pai districts have been damaged. Officials have blamed the fires on villagers who allegedly set them deliberately to facilitate hunting or the collection of forest products.
In Lampang province, officials said that fallen dry leaves on forest floors, coupled with strong winds, provide ideal fuel for the fires to spread rapidly.
To cope with dry-season forest fires, the ministry has ordered the establishment of fire watch centres nationwide to monitor hotspots using satellite imagery and drones.
