BLAZE
Fast-moving fire burns 400 rai in Phu Kradueng Park
BOONCHOO SRITRAIPOP
THE NATION
Loei



LOEI: -- A fire that raged through more than 400 rai of the Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei was finally extinguished at about 2.30am yesterday.

It is believed the fire was sparked between 9.30am and 5.30pm on Wednesday.

"We think the scorching heat set the dried leaves and grass ablaze," Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said.

He added that the fire spread fast and was difficult to control due to limited access to water.

"There were some constraints in transporting water to the area," he told reporters while inspecting the fire-ravaged area.

Loei's Phu Kradueng National Park is a popular tourist destination.

Preecha said he had already instructed park officials and forest-fire control units in the area to be on alert.

"They must make necessary preparations and take precautions. They can seek additional fire-fighting equipment if they don't have enough at hand," he said.

Despite the fire, many people are expected to visit the park during the upcoming Songkran break.


-- The Nation 2013-04-12

"We think the scorching heat set the dried leaves and grass ablaze,"

Is it technically possible for a fire to start due to ambient temperature?

"We think the scorching heat set the dried leaves and grass ablaze," Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said.

Spontaneous combustion Minister? Act of Buddha?

yeah ... some people will be very happy to cultivate the expensive mushrooms that are supposed to grow after this set fire

off course nobody's fault but the weather that it was a) set ablaze and off course no adequate fire department that could ever forsee this

certainly makes it easier for the locals to use this now fallow ground to grow whatever I suppose

Fire starts easily with many dead leaves and the very dry conditions.

The photos here were taken at Phu Kradueng National Park a few years ago.

http://www.isaans.net/eco_damage.php

Please take care with discarded bottles and fag ends - and keep the park pretty