Nakhon Si Thammarat peat forest still smouldering
The wildfire engulfing Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Khuan Khreng peat forest – which had first sparked in late July and reignited on August 4 – is still an issue even though firefighters have put out flames in 90 per cent of the area. A source from the fire-fighting team said the fire is still smouldering underground and can be rekindled at any time.
Firefighters have been using special tools to detect the underground smouldering areas and have brought in large hoses to pour water into the ground to stop the fire from expanding.
Since July 29, the peat forest fire covering the districts of Cha-uat, Chalerm Phrakiat, Chian Yai, Hua Sai and Ron Phibun has damaged a total area of 14,478 rai (2,316 hectares), including 4,551 rai of farmland.
Meanwhile, the Royal Forestry Department has sent the Phayak Prai task force to inspect the damage in the forest reserve, a source at the department said.
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