Fires cause pollution in Mae Hong Son, 61 hotspots identified
Burning Haze Blankets Northern Thailand: A Tale of Wildfires and Dust
It's a grim scene in Mae Hong Son, where dense smog covers the landscape due to unchecked wildfires. On a typical day, 61 hotspots were spotted here, with Chang Mai and Tak following closely behind, according to the Region 3 Forest Fire and Dust Control Centre.
The air quality in this region has significantly deteriorated, posing a threat to the public's health. Maj Chaidaen, the deputy director, warns of the worsening situation, with Mae Hong Son being particularly hard hit.
The majority of these hotspots originate from forest reserves (45) and conservation forests (44), with a smaller number found in farming areas (8). This points to multiple factors contributing to the issue.
Climate conditions, fueled by prolonged drought, low humidity, and strong winds, play a significant role in creating ideal conditions for these wildfires. Meanwhile, human activities such as agricultural practices and negligent burning of waste further fan the flames.
This environmental crisis has severe repercussions on public health, with PM2.5 levels reaching alarming levels in Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao. Smoke blankets urban areas, particularly the densely populated old city of Chiang Mai, causing widespread respiratory issues and eye irritation.
The ecological damage is just as dramatic. Repeated high-intensity fires prevent natural forest recovery, risking permanent loss of biodiversity. Additionally, fires are encroaching on conservation zones, including popular tourist spots.
To curb these detrimental effects, local authorities are deploying water-spraying vehicles and artificial rainfall efforts. However, experts stress the need for systemic changes in agricultural practices and fire management to mitigate this ongoing crisis.
- Despite the deployment of water-spraying vehicles and artificial rainfall efforts by local authorities, experts highlight the necessity of systemic changes in agricultural practices and fire management to alleviate this ongoing crisis.
- The weather-forecasting units are experiencing significant challenges in predicting the weather patterns due to the persistent wildfires and polluted air, making it hard to control and predict the spread of the smoke.
- In the realm of environmental-science, this climate-change phenomenon has increasingly become a concerning topic due to its impact on the fragile ecosystem of Northern Thailand, particularly in regions like Mae Hong Son.
- Recent studies in the field of science indicate that the wildfires in the region have led to a substantial increase in PM2.5 levels, which, according to the World Health Organization, are hazardous to human health, affecting people's metre-level health issues, especially in urban areas like Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao.
- Son Chaidaen, the deputy director of forest fire and dust control, has urged the government and the public to take immediate action against agricultural practices and waste burning that contribute to the unchecked wildfires, as the environmental and health implications continue to escalate.
