Fires return to Khuan Khreng peat forest in Nakhon Si Thammarat
With no rains for more than a week, the Khuan Khreng peat forest in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat has again gone up in flames.
Fires broke out on Tuesday night and damaged some nearby palm oil plantations and farmland in Tambon Kuan Pang of Ron Phibun district and Tambon Suan Luang of Chalerm Phrakiat district.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the attempts to put out the peat forest fires and contain their spread – blazes are now in the districts of Ron Phibun, Chian Yai, Hua Sai and Chalerm Phrakiat – have been made by soldiers from the 41st Military Circle, local officials and volunteers.
The fires have blanketed areas with smoke, prompting the provincial public health office to warn nearby residents - especially those living in Chian Yai's two tambons of Karaked and Kaho Phra Baht – of the dangers to their respiratory health. These areas are subject to the heaviest smoke cover.