Thailand Battles Forest Fires as Air Pollution Worsens in Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand is also facing raging forest fires, contributing to dangerous levels of air pollution in the region. Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination, has recorded some of the worst readings of air quality anywhere in the world due to the fires and widespread practice of agricultural burning. Disaster prevention units and firefighters are using helicopters to battle the fires in areas with poor access by land.

One of the biggest firefighting missions is being carried out by Thailand's national unit for disaster prevention, and it is using helicopters to combat fires in dense forests. The aerial attack is essential since the area is rugged and thus ground missions to combat the fires are complicated. The unit has been soaring above dams to collect thousands of liters of water and then pouring them on fireplaces. This technique is being employed to contain fires that have already engulfed hectares of forest area.

The rise in forest fires is consistent with a global trend, with huge wildfires recently seen in South Korea, Japan, and California. Climate change is a significant factor in making the fires more intense and frequent by adding to higher temperatures and longer spells of dryness, which create conditions under which fires are more readily spread. Forest loss not only impacts biodiversity but also worsens Thailand's already severe air pollution issue.

One of the biggest concerns about the fires is how they will exacerbate the smog crisis. Air quality monitoring stations have recorded PM2.5 pollutant levels in Chiang Mai to be almost 15 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended level. Fine particles are major health concerns because they can make their way into the bloodstream via the lungs and lead to respiratory disease. Thailand sees millions of its citizens every year receive medical care for air pollution-related illness.

In a bid to eliminate air pollution, the Thai government banned crop burning, a method of farming used by farmers to clear land for future cultivation. The enforcement has failed, and several farmers continue to burn fields in disregard for legal consequences. Experts have posited that financial rewards and environmentally friendly farming programs would be a better way of discouraging the use of burning.

Environmentalists are advocating for tougher legislation to address air pollution, including the proposal of Thailand's Clean Air Act. The bill aims to set stricter measures to manage pollution. However, experts acknowledge that legislation will not eliminate field burning practices unless farmers are offered effective alternatives.

Firefighting crews remain on stand-by with helicopters in continuous operation to put out fires and prevent their spread. The crews are exposed to numerous challenges, including poor visibility in heavy smoke, which makes operations from the air more difficult. Despite the challenges, authorities have vowed to control the fires to preserve the environment as well as public health.

The forest fires in northern Thailand put sharply into perspective the need to generate long-term solutions to air pollution and climate disasters. As the country continues to grapple with worsening environmental conditions, cooperation between the government, farmers, and environmental groups will be the solution to averting looming crises.

Source: AFP