Chiang Mai Air Quality Worsens As Wildfires Spread; Governor Bans Burning For 60 Days

Chiang Mai air quality worsens 


With agricultural burning due to start in March, residents were already preparing for Chiang Mai’s air quality to worsen. However, recent wildfires were not something they could have foreseen – recent bushfires have been reported in over one hundred bushfire spots; officials suspect agricultural burning to be the cause. 

Specified areas will be prohibited from agricultural burning in order to prevent the province from becoming an inferno.


Decisions to control bushfire


The Chiang Mai governor has condemned all burning for the next sixty days to avoid further bushfires and soot, according to Pattaya Mail.

Firefighters deployed to contain the fire weren’t able to access many of the areas due to difficult terrain. Chiang Mai authorities responded by requesting that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment deploy helicopters to spray water over these difficult areas in order to protect the firefighters while increasing accessibility. 

Red dots that indicate fire around Chiang Mai within 24 hours since February 28th 2021
Screenshot: firms.modaps

https://thesmartlocal.com/thailand/chiang-mai-bushfires/

Image credit: The Thaiger 


Donations to fight bushfires


Image credit: Elephant Retirement Park

The Elephant Sanctuary Asia Foundation wants to be a part of the fight against Chiang Mai’s forest fires – the foundation offers volunteer opportunities as well as a donation link on their home page

More on Chiang Mai’s beauty: 


Featured images adapted from: Freepik, Matichon

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