CHIANG MAI (NNT) - Protected Areas Regional Office 16 Director Kritsayam Kongsatree has reported that proactive patrolling in Chiang Mai and nearby northern areas has resulted in a 79% decrease in forest fires this year, with only 67 hotspots detected since January 1.

 

The Office, a part of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), manages 19 forests spanning 7.8 million rai across Chiang Mai and Lamphun. The decrease in forest fires is particularly crucial as they contribute to the worsening PM2.5 air pollution in the North. 

 

In anticipation of the upcoming dry season and consequent drying of forest foliage, the DNP plans to deploy additional patrol units to approximately 300 critical areas, commencing from February 15 for a duration of two months. This strategic move is part of an effort to mitigate fire risks, including the enforcement of restrictions on local villagers from harvesting forest edibles such as mushrooms, a practice that poses potential fire hazards.

 

Approximately 1,290 officials are currently tasked with forest fire prevention, with support from other local agencies. However, an extra 300 firefighters are expected to join during the dry season. These additional personnel will focus on areas including Mae Ping National Park, Om Koi Wildlife Sanctuary, Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary, and forests in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Tak.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Full story: NNT 2024-01-29

 

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Man made forest fires usually kick in around feb/march.

The extended 'winter' cool period is a natural fire suppressant.  Wait for the hot season to kick in with lightning strikes and squalls.

It must be  "mist" , that is blocking my view to the hills in the morning ....then

 

regards worgeordie

9 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

It must be  "mist" , that is blocking my view to the hills in the morning ....then

 

regards worgeordie

Yep,  when I was living in CM about 5 years ago the burning season wasn't the nicest. 

 

Yet they say it's down 79 percent over recent times... maybe due to 79 percent less forest to burn?  

 

Damn I love it when they try and manipulate stats without giving the whole picture. 

 

Still.... I think CM is a good place to be. 

12 hours ago, McTavish said:

The extended 'winter' cool period is a natural fire suppressant.  Wait for the hot season to kick in with lightning strikes and squalls.

We are still in January...... when would it be 'extended'?

12 hours ago, McTavish said:

The extended 'winter' cool period is a natural fire suppressant.  Wait for the hot season to kick in with lightning strikes and squalls.

And locals.

Most of them burned last year and it takes longer than a year for them to regenerate and in need of being burned again.

Amazing what rain can do.

Forest fires are not the same as intentional hotspots…

 

the % of smoke generated by a true forest fire (accidentally man made or by nature) is a fraction compared to intentional burns….

 

please get the language correct and don’t mislead the public

On 1/29/2024 at 5:20 PM, snoop1130 said:

resulted in a 79% decrease in forest fires

   who does believe that? the air quality is bad as always at this time of the year (no decrease at all) ... and it will worsening in the next few weeks as it always did the last few years ...

On the Nan Phayao north loop trip (HWY 1148) a couple days back. Big swaths of recently burned new growth scrub forest. Poor region so what you going to do? Stop the Ban Nok people from getting some mushroom money when the rains come.