PM2.5 Air Quality to Worsen in Northern Thailand as 69 Wildfires Burn in Chiang Mai

On Sunday, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) detected higher-than-average PM2.5 levels in 17 provinces across the Northern Thailand. Lamphun and Chiang Mai provinces had the highest PM2.5 readings.

Most people deemed the dust levels in the 15 other provinces to be unhealthy. Wildfires in numerous northern provinces, including Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Phitsanulok, have resulted in high PM2.5 levels.

Firefighters and park rangers are battling to put out the flames because they started in difficult-to-reach areas, according to Chiang Mai deputy governor Tosapon Puanudom.

The fires in Chiang Mai are focused in Ob Luang National Park in the Hot district, where 38 hotspots were reported on Sunday.

Fires have destroyed over 30,000 rai (4,800 hectares) of forests spanning three districts of Chiang Mai province since the blazes began roughly a week ago, officials said.

According to park officials, the most of the burned forests are found in Ob Luang National Park. The wildfires in northern Thailand broke out practically simultaneously in three districts in Chiang Mai: Hot, Chomg Thong, and Mae Cham.

The fires continued to rage uncontrollably. Officials blamed the fires on torching by local locals hunting for edible items, as well as spillovers from burning farm waste.

Flames were visible at night, colouring the sky red. However, during the day, white smoke was visible covering the areas where the fire had devoured the majority of the dry leaves and grass.

Thossapol Puan-udom, Chiang Mai’s deputy governor, said on Sunday that he was still closely monitoring the firefighting efforts. He also blamed the heat and dry weather for many of the fires, which he claimed happened on high mountain peaks, making it impossible for firefighters to reach them.

Meanwhile, the Mae Hong Son flames have primarily affected Muang district, with 14 wildfires discovered, outnumbering Pai district’s 13 hotspots. Authorities in Phitsanulok reported several wildfires in the Wang Thong district, with four hotspots identified.

Wildfires are being fought by firefighters and volunteers from three provinces in northern Thailand.

Traisulee Taisaranakul, spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, said on Sunday that Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has ordered all governors to take action against wildfires and strictly enforce farm burning laws in their provinces to reduce PM2.5 levels in the air.

The Pollution Control Department reports PM2.5 values ranging from 19.2µg/m³-74.4µg/m³ in northern Thailand.

The affected provinces are: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Nong Khai, Loei, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, and Surin have high PM2.5 levels.

Air quality in eastern, southern, western, and central regions, including Bangkok, is good, with PM2.5 levels below 37.5µg/m³.

The quality Control Department anticipates that air quality across the country will improve in the following seven days.