Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Mae Hong Son With Helicopter Support

On 11 April 2026, severe wildfires in Pai district, Mae Hong Son, have forced authorities to deploy helicopters to deliver essential supplies to frontline firefighting teams who have been battling blazes for more than one week, as fires continue across the province. The operation aims to prevent flames reaching residential areas and to sustain exhausted personnel operating in remote terrain. Supplies include food, water and energy drinks.

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On 10 April 2026, Mae Hong Son Governor Viboon Waewbandit assigned officials to lead a mobilisation of fire prevention networks and joint operations to reduce haze and PM2.5 pollution in Ban Mueang Paeng, Pai district. The provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office inspected and delivered food, water and energy drinks to special wildfire suppression units from Prachin Buri and Mukdahan, alongside local agencies. Helicopter support was requested by the Northern Forest Fire Control Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima to transport supplies to teams deployed in high and inaccessible areas in Huai Pu Ling, Mueang district, and border zones of Pai.

Authorities reported 282 hotspots detected by the Suomi NPP VIIRS satellite at 01:36 on 11 April 2026. Air quality monitoring showed PM2.5 levels exceeding safe standards in three locations: Jong Kham in Mueang district at 114.4 micrograms per cubic metre, Mae Sariang at 102.2, and Wiang Tai in Pai at 185.8. In addition, a wildfire on 10 April 2026 at Mon Ta Laeng in Mueang Mae Hong Son burned approximately 5 rai of forest before being brought under control by joint firefighting teams.

SiamRath reported that operations continue with coordinated ground and air support involving forest fire control units and DDPM KA-32 firefighting helicopter, military personnel and local volunteers. Authorities are maintaining 24-hour monitoring to prevent further spread and to protect communities while reducing regional haze and particulate pollution. Aerial resupply operations are continuing to support crews in remote zones.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamRath 12 Apr 2026