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Chiang Mai Wildfires Rage Near Temple; Monks Fight Blaze, Air Quality Suffers

Chiang Mai Wildfires Rage Near Temple; Monks Fight Blaze, Air Quality Suffers

MGR Online•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Severe wildfires near a famous Chiang Mai temple prompted monks to join firefighting efforts, as air pollution significantly worsened.

  • •A significant wildfire broke out on a mountain near Wat Pang Makong in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai.
  • •Monks, novice monks, and the abbot mobilized to combat the blaze using leaf blowers and other equipment.
  • •The wildfire led to air quality deteriorating beyond standard levels, with PM 2.5 readings affecting public health.
  • •Accumulated heat spots in Chiang Mai reached 1,202 from January 1 to March 24, 2026, with 207 new points reported on March 25, 2026.

Overview

  • •Wildfires are occurring around Wat Pang Makong every year, especially during the dry season.
  • •The abbot, monks, and novice monks at Wat Pang Makong used leaf blowers and coconut frond brooms to fight a wildfire.
  • •The accumulated heat spots in Chiang Mai totaled 1,202 from January 1 to March 24, 2026.
  • •On March 25, 2026, 207 new wildfire spots were reported across 20 districts in Chiang Mai.
  • •The wildfire near Wat Pang Makong burned an estimated area of at least 10 rai.
  • •The wildfire resulted in PM 2.5 levels exceeding the standard of 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • •The highest recorded PM 2.5 reading was 79 micrograms per cubic meter at the Provincial Electricity Authority, Hot District branch.
  • •The fires are a recurring issue in Chiang Mai, exacerbated by dry conditions and falling leaves acting as fuel.

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Key Quotes

Archimandrite Kasem Jariyanukoon (Kruba Long Sop)
"Wildfires occur around the temple every year, so the monks must always prepare leaf blowers and firefighting equipment."
เกิดไฟป่าบริเวณรอบๆวัดทุกปี ทางพระสงฆ์จึงต้องเตรียมเครื่องเป่าลม และอุปกรณ์ดับไฟป่าเตรียมพร้อมตลอด

Key Entities

Place

Wat Pang Makong(วัดปางมะกง)
A temple in Ping Kong Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai, affected by a nearby wildfire.
Chiang Dao(เชียงดาว)ℹ️
A district in Chiang Mai Province where a significant wildfire occurred near Wat Pang Makong.
Chiang Mai Province(จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)ℹ️
The province heavily affected by severe wildfires and resulting air pollution.
Ping Kong(ปิงโค้ง)
A subdistrict in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai, where Wat Pang Makong is located and affected by wildfire.
Ping Kong Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province(ต.ปิงโค้ง อ.เชียงดาว จ.เชียงใหม่)
The specific administrative location of the wildfire incident near Wat Pang Makong.
Chiang Mai Provincial Government Center(ศูนย์ราชการจังหวัดเชียงใหม่)
A location in Mueang Chiang Mai District where a PM 2.5 reading of 56.9 micrograms per cubic meter was observed.
Bhubing Palace(พระตำหนักภูพิงคราชนิเวศน์)ℹ️
A royal residence in Mueang Chiang Mai District where a PM 2.5 reading of 32.5 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded.

Person

Archimandrite Kasem Jariyanukoon or Kruba Long Sop(พระครูเกษมจริยานุกูล หรือครูบาโลงศพ)
The abbot of Wat Pang Makong who mobilized monks and novices to fight a wildfire near the temple.

Organization

Chiang Mai Provincial Center for Prevention and Resolution of Wildfires, Haze, and Fine Dust Particles PM 2.5(ศูนย์อำนวยการป้องกันและแก้ไขปัญหาไฟป่า หมอกควัน และฝุ่นละอองขนาดเล็ก PM 2.5 จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)
The provincial center reporting on wildfire and PM 2.5 data in Chiang Mai.
Pollution Control Department(กรมควบคุมมลพิษ)ℹ️
The department that conducted air quality measurements in Chiang Mai, reporting PM 2.5 levels.
AIR4THAI.COM
A website used by the Pollution Control Department to display air quality monitoring data.
Provincial Electricity Authority, Hot District Branch(สถานีการไฟฟ้าส่วนภูมิภาค สาขาอำเภอฮอด)
The location where the highest PM 2.5 reading of 79 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded.
Mae Na Subdistrict Municipality Office(สำนักงานเทศบาลตำบลเมืองนะ)
A location in Mae Na Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District, where a high PM 2.5 reading was recorded.
Theppratan Wetchanukoon Hospital, Mae Jaem(โรงพยาบาลเทพรัตนเวชชานุกูล แม่แจ่ม)
A hospital in Mae Jaem District where a PM 2.5 reading of 53.2 micrograms per cubic meter was reported.
Yupparaj Wittayalai School(โรงเรียนยุพราชวิทยาลัย)
A school in Mueang Chiang Mai District where a PM 2.5 reading of 41.0 micrograms per cubic meter was measured.

Timeline

January 1 - March 24, 2026(1 ม.ค. - 24 มี.ค. 2026)
The period during which accumulated heat spots in Chiang Mai reached 1,202.
March 25, 2026(25 มี.ค.69)
The date when 207 new wildfire spots were reported across 20 districts in Chiang Mai.