Khuan Khreng wildfire still smouldering as officials tackle smoke

The wildfire at Khuan Khreng peat forest in Nakhon Si Thammarat province was still smouldering in some parts on Friday, which required officials, soldiers and volunteers to continue spraying water and monitoring the situation round the clock, said Damras Phoprasit, director of the Protected Area Regional Office 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat).

The fire in the southern province started on Tuesday.
Officials from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Office 11 (Surat Thani) took water-spraying machines to help tackle the smoke in Chian Yai – which was declared a disaster zone along with Hua Sai and Chalerm Phrakiat districts.

Khuan Khreng wildfire still smouldering as officials tackle smoke
Locals in the area, especially the young and elderly, have been suffering respiratory problems due to the huge amounts of smoke generated by the fire.

Khuan Khreng wildfire still smouldering as officials tackle smoke
Separately, the Royal Irrigation Department has dispatched large pumps to pull water from sources in the yet-to-be-affected parts of the forest to fill up ponds for firefighters working on foot as well as boost humidity in the area. Officials have also been creating firebreaks around the edge of the forests to protect people’s homes.

Khuan Khreng wildfire still smouldering as officials tackle smoke

Khuan Khreng wildfire still smouldering as officials tackle smoke
Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Chamroen Thippayapongthada said rainmaking units from Surat Thani and Phitsanulok were ready to create rain over the forest as soon as the weather and wind directions permit.