Suchart Orders Forest Department to Mobilize Forest Fire Prevention in Lamphun, Sets Up 24-Hour Monitoring Team

On February 14, 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, led by Deputy Prime Minister Suchart Chornklin, has ordered integrated efforts to control forest fire situations in Lamphun Province, supporting aerial and ground monitoring of heat points closely. The Fog, Forest Fire, and PM 2.5 Monitoring Center detected continuous heat spots between February 12-13, 2024, in the Palu Forest area of Ban Hong, resulting in multiple forest fires spreading across steep mountain terrain. Aerial vehicles from the ministry conducted 31 water-dropping missions, releasing 15,500 liters of water near the Huay Pa Sang Orn reservoir. Local forest protection units, community leaders, and village operation teams worked together to control ground fires and create firebreaks. Suchart emphasized continued 24-hour monitoring and requested citizens to cease all open burning to reduce forest fire and air pollution risks.