Raging forest fires force closure of Thai-Cambodian Border park

Forest fires blazing along the Thai-Cambodian border have sparked chaos, enveloping Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket province with thick smoke and dust particles, prompting a three-day shutdown. The infernos, wreaking havoc on the region’s flora and fauna, including monkeys, bats, and birds, have raised concerns for both tourism and wildlife preservation.

Sisaket Governor Anuphong Suksomnit undertook a dusk visit to Pha Mo E-Daeng, a towering cliff within the national park, to assess the dire smoke situation. With park officials, firefighters, soldiers, and border patrol police mobilized, armed with water trucks and essential equipment, a vigilant stance has been adopted to combat the relentless forest fires.

Temporary Closure of Khao Phra Wihan National Park

In a decisive move, authorities have mandated the temporary closure of Khao Phra Wihan National Park from today to Sunday, as communicated through the park’s official Facebook page. Camping sites and overnight accommodations at Pha Mo E-Daeng and Noen Nab Dao tourist areas are off-limits during this period.

Assessing the scenario, Anuphong affirmed that manpower and equipment from all concerned agencies stand poised for action. In related news, sweeping fires engulfed an estimated 30,000 rai (approximately 4,800 hectares) of forest across three districts in the province of Chiang Mai, reported local authorities. The flames, which sparked roughly a week ago, primarily ravaged the Ob Luang National Park. The districts of Hot, Chomg Thong, and Mae Cham are the most severely impacted, with the fires still ablaze and uncontained.

The source of these devastating fires is thought to be residents’ practices of foraging for edible foods and burning leftover farm waste. In other news, wildfires in the province of Tak have intensified, expanding across nine districts and prompting coordinated emergency responses to combat the flames and prevent hazardous smog, including the dangerous PM2.5 particles.

Government Response in Tak

Amid the escalating wildfires in Tak province, Governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj has taken decisive action by mobilizing all available resources to swiftly contain the infernos within a defined perimeter.

Governor Somchai has directed all units involved in firefighting and emergency response to work cohesively to combat the spreading flames. By deploying firefighting teams, equipment, and logistical support, the aim is to contain the wildfires promptly.

The primary goal of the mobilization effort is to minimize the extent of damage caused by the wildfires and mitigate the hazardous effects of smoke haze on both the environment and public health. Special emphasis is placed on protecting vulnerable areas and populations.

As the wildfires persist, concerns continue to mount regarding their ecological and societal impacts. Efforts are ongoing to bolster containment measures and safeguard affected areas. Collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and other stakeholders remains crucial in addressing this pressing issue.