Loei forest fire extinguished after 30-hour battle
Firefighters in Loei province have successfully extinguished a forest fire that ravaged 400 rai over a 30-hour operation. The blaze, which affected the Phu Huai Ngiu, Phu Hin Hong, and Phu Yata forests in Mueang district, had been active for a day and caused significant distress to residents due to the smoke.
Thinnakorn Kasetkasorn, the mayor of the Chaiyaphuek Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, alongside local leaders and a team of 30 volunteer firefighters, tackled the challenging terrain. The effort involved ascending steep hills under intense sunlight, with the fire stretching several kilometres.
To control the fire, the team employed manual tools such as fire beaters and blowers to create firebreaks, preventing further spread. By 5pm, they had successfully extinguished the flames, concluding the operation after approximately 30 hours since its commencement the previous day.
Before this, Loei Governor Chaiphot Jarupong instructed all 14 districts to enforce a ban on burning to combat forest fires and reduce PM2.5 pollution. The initiative led to the arrest of 33 people for illegal burning activities. Each offender received fines ranging from 500 to 1,000 baht, reported KhaoSod.
In similar news, wildfires have engulfed Doi Nam Dip in Tak province for three consecutive days and nights, worsening air pollution across the region. Despite intensified efforts, the blaze shows no signs of abating.
Yesterday, the air quality monitoring station in Mae Pa, Mae Sot district, recorded a PM2.5 level of 45.9 microgrammes per cubic metre, posing health risks such as respiratory issues and eye irritation. Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activities.
The fire, burning across the Mae Salid and Pong Daeng national forest reserves in Nong Chalab village, Ban Tak district, is near Phahon Yothin Road, highway number 1.
Kritchana Nissa, director of the Forest Management Office 4 in Tak, assigned Warakij Tojamroen to oversee firefighting efforts. Officers from Mae Salid and Mitraphap forest protection units are deploying a swing force strategy to control the fire before relocating to other affected areas.
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