Bangkok (VNA) - The North of Thailand is grappling with a surge in wildfires, with 401 hotspots detected across 17 provinces, the Region 3 Forest Fire Control Centre said on February 13.
Phetchabun province has been particularly affected, registering 82 hotspots – the highest in the region – with fires spreading across almost the entire province.
The latest data released at 7am on February 13 reveals the scale of the crisis. While specific data for other provinces was unavailable as of press time, Phetchabun’s 82 hotspots are of significant concern. Of them, 32 are located in forest reserves, 21 in land reform areas, 15 in agricultural lands, 11 in protected forests and three in community areas.
The province has seen a staggering 587 hotspots in total since February 1. The fires have posed a direct threat to communities and even religious sites.
The high number of fires, particularly in protected areas, underscores the challenges facing authorities in managing wildfires and protecting valuable natural resources. The causes of the blazes are still being investigated and further updates are expected from the Forest Fire Control Centre.
In a related development, authorities in Phetchabun province have intensified efforts to curb illegal burning after multiple violations of the province’s fire ban. Governor Saranyu Meethongkam has launched a campaign titled “Stop Burning, Stop Dreaming, For You, For Us”, aiming to raise awareness and prevent further incidents.
Meanwhile, firefighters battling wildfires in the Khao Kho National Park have already destroyed about 1.6 ha of the forest. The fires continue to spread, posing a significant threat to the park’s ecosystem./.
Thailand welcomes 3.7 million foreign tourists in January
Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong also revealed that the ministry had raised this year’s tourism target from 39 million to 40 million foreign visitors.
