Sakaerat Forest Fire 99% Out, Wildlife Unaffected - Biosphere Reserve Intact

Matichon•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

A wildfire at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Nakhon Ratchasima has been largely extinguished, with authorities confirming no significant impact on wildlife or the surrounding biosphere reserve.

•A wildfire occurred at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Wang Nam Khiao, Nakhon Ratchasima.
•The fire, which started on February 12, 2026, has been nearly 100% extinguished by February 16.
•Authorities assert that the fire did not affect wildlife or the biosphere reserve's ecosystem.
•Air quality within the station remains at healthy levels.

Overview

•On February 12, 2026, at approximately 20:00, a wildfire began within the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station.
•Approximately 6,400 rai of dry dipterocarp forest out of a total of 48,800 rai were affected by the fire.
•By February 16, the wildfire was reported to be nearly 100% extinguished, with ongoing efforts to completely douse remaining embers.
•Director Surachit Waengsotorn of the Sakaerat Environmental Research Institute stated that rare wildlife species are not impacted due to their habitat in unburned areas.
•The dry dipterocarp forest ecosystem is expected to recover naturally after the fire.
•Air quality readings on February 16 between 08:00 and 10:00 showed PM 2.5 levels between 18-19 µg/m³, well below the standard of 37.5 µg/m³.
•The research station continues to offer services to students and the public, as the accessible areas are safe and air quality is in the 'green' zone.
•The provincial government is discussing strategies to manage potential future dry season wildfires, acknowledging challenges in conducting pre-emptive burns due to strict anti-burning regulations aimed at reducing PM2.5.

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Key Quotes

Surachit Waengsotorn

"About 6,400 rai of dry dipterocarp forest out of a total of 48,800 rai have been almost completely burned, with only a small area remaining unburned, requiring close monitoring."

พื้นที่ป่าเต็งรังที่มีอยู่ 6,400 ไร่ จากพื้นที่ทั้งหมด 48,800 ไร่ ถูกไฟไหม้เกือบหมด จะเหลือพื้นที่เพียงเล็กน้อยที่ยังไม่ถูกไฟเผา จึงต้องเฝ้าระวัง

Surachit Waengsotorn

"It is expected that firefighting operations will be completed by today."

คาดว่า จะสามารถดำเนินจนแล้วเสร็จภายในวันนี้

Surachit Waengsotorn

"Rare wildlife, such as the Siamese fireback, primarily inhabits dry evergreen forests, thus they are not affected by this wildfire."

ส่วนสัตว์ป่าหายาก อย่างเช่น ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ จะอาศัยอยู่ในป่าดิบแล้งเป็นหลัก จึงไม่ได้รับผลกระทบอะไรจากไฟป่าครั้งนี้

Surachit Waengsotorn

"The air quality remains within levels that do not affect health."

คุณภาพอากาศยังอยู่ในเกณฑ์ที่ไม่กระทบต่อสุขภาพ

Key Entities

Place

Sakaerat Environmental Research Station(สถานีวิจัยสิ่งแวดล้อมสะแกราช)

A research facility in Nakhon Ratchasima where a forest fire occurred.

Nakhon Ratchasima(โคราช)ℹ️

The province where the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station is located.

Udom Sap(อุดมทรัพย์)

The subdistrict where the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station is located.

Wang Nam Khiao(วังน้ำเขียว)ℹ️

The district where the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station is located and where a police report was filed.

Person

Surachit Waengsotorn(นายสุรชิต แวงโสธรณ์)

Director of the Sakaerat Environmental Research Institute, providing updates on the forest fire.

Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima(ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัดนครราชสีมา)

The provincial governor who called a meeting to discuss strategies for future dry season forest fires.

Animal

Siamese fireback(ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ)ℹ️

A rare wildlife species that inhabits dry evergreen forests and was confirmed to be unaffected by the fire.

Asian yellow turtle(เต่าเหลือง)ℹ️

A turtle species that inhabits both dry dipterocarp and dry evergreen forests, capable of seeking refuge in the latter during fires.

Organization

Wang Nam Khiao Police Station(สภ.วังน้ำเขียว)

The police station where a report was filed concerning the cause of the forest fire.