Day One of burning ban – Chiang Mai still choking on poor air quality
PHOTOS: The Nation
Air pollution remains above the official safety limit in and around Chiang Mai today – the first day of a 50 day ban on all burning.
Next door, in Mae Hong Son, the level of PM2.5 micron airborne particulates measured 93 micrograms per cubic metre of air, nearly double the safe limit of 50mcg.
Chiang Mai measures 51.9 mcg at lunchtime today
The worst pollution earned the tambon of Jong Kham in Muang Mae Hong Son “code red status” with 93mcg of PM2.5 and an Air Quality Index level of 102.
Mae Hong Son, where numerous forest fires are raging, has also implemented a ban on outdoor burning that will be in effect through April.
Chiang Mai has banned outdoor burning until April 20.
Regional Health Promotion Centre 1 in the Tambon of Chang Klan remained closed today because of the haze and poor quality air.
A campfire lit by people gathering items in the woods is believed to have triggered a forest fire yesterday afternoon in Ban Huai Tak (Moo 3) in Lampang’s Ngao district.
It was extinguished within in an hour, but not before burning off four rai of trees and shrub, said Huai Tak forest-fire control unit chief Pairoj Ajiriya.
SOURCE: The Nation
