Chiang Mai Learns from Wildfires: 11,000+ Hotspots in 2026

MGR Online•Society•4d ago

Reader Briefing

Chiang Mai is analyzing its approach to wildfire and PM2.5 pollution following a surge in hotspots in 2026, with plans to develop future strategies.

•Chiang Mai recorded over 11,000 wildfire hotspots in the first five months of 2026, a significant increase from the previous year, primarily in forest areas.
•The province saw a reduction of 7 days where PM2.5 levels exceeded the standard compared to 2025, despite the increase in hotspots.
•Authorities have made 245 arrests for violating burning regulations and are developing a comprehensive plan, the "Chiang Dao Model," to address the issues by 2027.

Overview

•A meeting of the integrated committee for wildfire and PM2.5 problem-solving in Chiang Mai Province took place on June 2, 2026.
•The committee summarized the overall situation from January 1 to May 31, 2026.
•A total of 11,023 accumulated hotspots were reported between January 1 and May 31, 2026.
•The number of hotspots in 2026 increased by 6,314 compared to the same period in 2025.
•Five districts with the highest number of accumulated hotspots were identified: Chiang Dao (1,532), Hot (1,173), Mae Chaem (1,095), Omkoi (1,076), and Mae Taeng (790).
•The number of days with PM2.5 exceeding the standard of 37.5 mcg/m³ decreased by 7 days compared to 2025.
•Public health outreach was conducted to educate the public on the health impacts and provide preventive measures, distributing over 2,066,184 masks.
•A total of 245 cases were filed against 262 individuals for violating provincial burning control measures from January 1 to May 31, 2026.
•The province aims to complete an integrated plan for the "Chiang Dao Model" by 2027 to address wildfires at their source and improve quality of life.
•The committee plans to hold workshops to develop action plans and preventive measures for wildfire and PM2.5 issues, targeting 200 participants.

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Key Entities

Place

Chiang Mai(เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

Province in Thailand preparing to learn from and address wildfire and PM2.5 issues.

Person

Siwakorn Buapong(นายศิวกร บัวป้อง)

Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai who chaired the meeting on wildfire and PM2.5.

Organization

Integrated Committee for Wildfire and Fine Dust (PM2.5) Problem Solving, Chiang Mai Province(คณะกรรมการแก้ไขปัญหาไฟป่าและฝุ่นละอองขนาดเล็ก PM2.5 แบบบูรณาการ จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)

Committee responsible for addressing wildfire and PM2.5 issues in Chiang Mai.

Law

Chiang Dao Model(เชียงดาวโมเดล)

A project in Chiang Mai aimed at concretely solving wildfire and haze problems by managing the Chiang Dao Biosphere Reserve and surrounding villages.