Chiang Mai Wildfires Begin South; Not Severe Yet, Doi Tao Monitored

Matichon•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Wildfires have begun appearing in southern Chiang Mai, with officials closely monitoring the Doi Tao district, though the situation is not yet severe.

•Wildfires have started in areas south of Chiang Mai, originating from Tak and spreading to Lamphun before reaching Chiang Mai.
•The most severe situation is currently in Doi Tao District, Chiang Mai, within the Ob Luang National Park, due to dry forest debris.
•Forest fire prevention measures include patrolling, closing forest entrances, and implementing fuel management in critical and recurring fire areas.
•Officials are requesting public cooperation in wildfire prevention and reporting, aiming for better statistics than the previous year.

Overview

•From the beginning of 2026 until now, the wildfire situation in the area has not been severe.
•In the past 1-2 weeks, fires have begun entering the southern zone of Chiang Mai Province.
•The situation is most severe in Doi Tao District, Chiang Mai Province, and within Ob Luang National Park, a key area for dry dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests.
•Falling leaves due to dryness create high fuel loads, increasing the risk of wildfires.
•The Conservation Area Administration Office 16 (Chiang Mai) is monitoring forest entry and exit points and has announced forest closures.
•Krichsayam Khongsatre, Director of Conservation Area Administration Office 16, stated that forest entry registration is requested for those seeking forest products to avoid suspicion.
•Patrol plans are being adjusted to focus on recurring fire spots.
•Krichsayam Khongsatre emphasized the need for fuel management in necessary and recurring fire areas, citing Mae Ping National Park in Lamphun Province as an example of 100 rai being managed to reduce pressure.

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Key Quotes

Krichsayam Khongsatre

"The interior of the forest has adjusted patrol plans. Normally, officials patrol with quality, but we will focus on recurring fire spots. This period, we ask the public to help take care of wildfires; we want this year's statistics to be better than last year."

บริเวณใจกลางป่ามีการปรับแผนในการลาดตระเวน ปกติทางเจ้าหน้าที่ก็มีการลาดตระเวนคุณภาพอยู่แล้ว แต่ก็จะเน้นจุดไฟไหม้ซ้ำซาก ห้วงนี้ก็ฝากพี่น้องประชาชนร่วมด้วยช่วยกันดูแลเรื่องไฟป่า อยากให้สถิติปีนี้ดีกว่าปีที่ผ่านมา

Krichsayam Khongsatre

"Fuel management should be done in necessary areas and truly recurring fire spots, such as Mae Ping National Park in Lamphun Province, which has about 100 rai. This area is also where people gather forest products, which will reduce pressure in the area."

ให้บริหารจัดการเชื้อเพลิงในพื้นที่ที่มีความจำเป็นและพื้นที่ไฟไหม้ซ้ำซากจริงๆ อย่างเช่นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง จ.ลำพูน ก็มีประมาณ 100 ไร่ เป็นพื้นที่ที่พี่น้องประชาชนหาของป่าด้วย ก็จะเป็นลดความกดดันในพื้นที่

Key Entities

Place

Chiang Mai(เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

Province in Thailand where wildfires are occurring.

Doi Tao District(อ.ดอยเต่า)

District in Chiang Mai Province identified as having the most severe wildfire situation.

Ob Luang(ออบหลวง)

Area within Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai Province identified as having high fuel loads due to dry forests.

Ob Luang National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติออบหลวง)ℹ️

National park in Chiang Mai Province experiencing severe wildfire conditions due to dry forest debris.

Tak Province(จ.ตาก)ℹ️

Province from which wildfires originated before spreading to Chiang Mai.

Lamphun Province(จ.ลำพูน)ℹ️

Province that wildfires spread through before reaching southern Chiang Mai.

Om Goi Wildlife Sanctuary(เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าอมก๋อย)

Wildlife sanctuary in Chiang Mai Province where fuel management is being implemented.

Hot District(อ.ฮอด)

District in Chiang Mai Province within the vicinity of Ob Luang National Park.

Ban Hong Wildlife Sanctuary(เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าบ้านโฮ่ง)

Wildlife sanctuary in Lamphun Province mentioned in relation to fuel management.

Mae Ping National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง)ℹ️

National Park in Lamphun Province where 100 rai are being managed for fuel reduction, also used by local people for forest products.

Person

Krichsayam Khongsatre(นายกริชสยาม คงสตรี)

Director of Conservation Area Administration Office 16 in Chiang Mai, who commented on the wildfire situation.

Organization

Conservation Area Administration Office 16 (Chiang Mai)(สำนักงานบริหารพื้นที่อนุรักษ์ที่ 16 เชียงใหม่)

Government agency responsible for managing protected areas in Chiang Mai, involved in wildfire monitoring and prevention.

Law

Cabinet Resolution Plan(แผน ครม.)

Government plan related to fuel management, which officials state will not be adjusted.