BANGKOK, April 1 (NNN-Bernama) — Chiang Mai in northern Thailand has declared wildfire disaster zones in six districts, as worsening forest fires and haze continue to affect residents.
Provincial authorities have officially designated Hot, Samoeng, Chiang Dao, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng, and Mae Wang as disaster-affected areas and emergency assistance zones to expedite aid for those impacted by the ongoing crisis.
Chiang Mai Province Governor, Rattapol Naradisorn, said the declaration does not cover entire districts but specifically targets subdistricts and villages where wildfires have occurred. This is to ensure more efficient allocation of budget and resources.
“The key purpose of the declaration is to enable local administrative organisations and relevant government agencies to immediately utilise available budgets and resources to suppress fires and assist affected residents in accordance with regulations,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He added that wildfires across the six districts have affected 38 subdistricts, 324 villages, and 27 communities.
“If local agencies face budget constraints, the province is ready to approve emergency contingency funds under the governor’s authority to support operations promptly, ensuring a continuous and swift response to the wildfire crisis,” he said.
Rattapol said the province has implemented proactive measures covering prevention, monitoring, and situation management, with more than 20,000 forest fire volunteers deployed across all 24 districts.
He noted that Chiang Mai has intensified its wildfire control plan by introducing night-time patrols, following a significant escalation in fire activity since March 23.
“The most critical situation occurred on March 29, when hotspots surged to 1,020,” he said, adding that conditions have since improved, with around 355 hotspots recorded yesterday.
He said operational plans have been adjusted to align patrols with peak fire periods, while district chiefs have been instructed to work closely with local leaders and administrative bodies to raise awareness among residents in high-risk areas.
“The ultimate goal is to prevent unauthorised entry into forest areas, thereby stopping fires at their source. This approach is more effective than deploying large firefighting forces into remote and difficult-to-access areas,” he added.
— NNN-BERNAMA