Fire in the North

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Fires in Thailand?
March 10, 2007
On Wednesday morning, March 7, CNN weather reporter Mari Ramos showed satellite photos showing the extensive agricultural fires in Thailand that were happening right then. However, we have been unable to find any other mention of this elsewhere. Have any readers heard anything about this?

Two reports from MCOT TNA English News yesterday & today respectively:

Chiang Rai on Thai-Myanmar forest fire alert

CHIANG RAI, March 9 (TNA) -- A large-scale forest fire raging out of control for three days is carrying dust, dirt and darkness from Myanmar to wide areas along the Thai-Myanmar border and Thai authorities are preparing for a possible spread of the conflagration across the mountainous frontier.

Seen from the Thai side, heavy smoke has been filling the skies of Mae Sai, Mae Fa Luang, Chiang Saen and Mae Chan districts for three days and ash has been deposited across a wide landscape.

As a result, many local residents at Thai-Myanmar border are suffering from eye irritation and fear of respiratory ailments from dirt, dust and possible toxic pollutants.

The fire broke out in a forest in Myanmar territory on the opposite of Huay Nam Rin village, Viangphangkham sub-district, Mae Sai district and spread to an area of about 200 rai or 320,000 square metres.

The severe fire has been raging through bamboo forest and dry deciduous forest leaves, which are tinder-dry before the onset on the rainy season, according to forestry observers.

Provincial officials are expressing concern that the wide-ranging blaze appears to be moving closer to Thai territory, prompting Thai officials to prepare for firefighting duties, especially near the Thai Army's 3rd Cavalry base in Chiang Rai province.

Many soldiers have been assigned to dig fire blocking trenches and to prepare for other possible fire-fighting duties.

It has been speculated that the ongoing forest fire may have been caused by villagers who may have negligently lighted a fire during land clearing and preparation for the new planting season, or irresponsibly burning forest tracks to drive wildlife out of the forest for hunting purposes. (TNA)

http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28339

Over 400 children at risk from northern forest fire haze

CHIANG MAI, March 10 (TNA) - More than 400 children and childcare workers at a child care centre in this northern province are suffering from irritated eyes and breathing difficulties for several days due to bush fires in the surrounding mountains.

Bush fires and smog caused by villagers burning forest lands are the main culprits and the authorities are urging the villagers to stop the malpractice.

The burning of forestry land area has also created air pollution resulting in a smog of small particles of dust in the provincial seat, especially near reservoir in Mae Rim district, an area where bush fires have occurred frequently in the past.

Local residents, both adults and youngsters, often exercise near the reservoir but now must cover their mouths and noses with masks. Many are experiencing breathing difficulty.

Because of the prolonged dry spell and air pollution, artificial rainmaking workers are scheduled to begin their activities by seeding the cloud cover on Monday, but problems remain due to low air moisture and thick haze in the province.

It is not yet known whether visibility will be sufficient to allow helicopters and other small aircraft to fly that day. (TNA)-E111

Last Update : 2007-03-10 / 17:05:21 (GMT+7:00)

http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28352

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[Photo: MCOT TNA English News]

BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) - Faced with an apparent wide-front forest fire moving east and south into Thailand from neighbouring Myanmar, the Thai government is on the brink of declaring emerency rule in widespread parts of several provinces.

Kasem Sanitwong Na Ayutthaya, Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister, said Monday he will propose an emergency plan to urgently tackle haze and air pollution to the Cabinet Tuesday.

Suphat Wangwongwattana, director-general of Pollution Control Department, said the situation has been aggravated by farming activities as many farmers in the North still use the slash-and-burn tecnique to prepare their land for new crops.

Immediate measures to be proposed to the Cabinet include manpower mobilisation from all state-run agencies to combat the bush fires, he said.

The haze problem prompted cancellation of four return THAI Airways flights between Chiang Mai and neighbouring Mae Hong Son Monday due to thick smog from bush fires and reduced visibility over the area, according to the national air carrier's statement.

Speaking after meeting with all concerned parties in Chiang Mai, Pitiphong Phuengboon Na Ayutthaya, permanent secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment said he would ask the Cabinet in its weekly meeting Tuesday to find immediate measures to solve the air quality problems since thick haze has blanketed some northern provinces for two weeks, and are a health hazard to local residents.

"The state of emergency may be imposed to strictly control all burning activities in the area, if the haze problem in Chiang Mai continues to worsen over the next two days," Mr.Pitiphong said.

Chiang Mai air quality reached a critical level over the past week. Pregnant women, the elderly and children were advised to wear face masks to protect against the hazadous haze.

The level of dust particles smaller than 10 microns was as high as 273 micrograms per cubic metre on Monday, the highest reading since the haze began early this month.

The increasing dust level is a result of widespread bush fires in the northern provinces and in neighbouring countries including Myanmar. Chiang Mai is the hardest hit, thanks to its mountainous terrain that trapped the haze within its deep valleys.

As a result, many local residents at the Thai-Myanmar border are suffering from eye irritation and fear of respiratory ailments from dirt, dust and possible toxic pollutants.

Meanwhile, bush fires in Myanmar spread to Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province, destroying more than 30 rai of forest and sending thick haze over Mai Sai district, but firefighters and volunteers were able to contain the raging blaze. Motorists are warned to drive carefully due to reduced visibility. (TNA)-E001

http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28386

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Prime Minister flies north for smog crisis talks - Bangkok Post, 15 March 2007

Chiang Mai (TNA)

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will fly to Chiang Mai today to see for himself the smoke and haze now described as Thailand's worst airborne environmental disaster. He is to escort royal supplies to be distributed to victims of the haze which is choking the northern provinces. Chiang Rai Governor Amornpan Nimanant declared natural disaster areas in 16 districts and two subdistricts because of the smog. He did not immediately say what his plans were. But declaring a disaster means he can dispense aid on an emergency basis, with little paperwork or involvement by the central government.

There is widespread criticism of the cabinet decision on Tuesday to give the smog problem another week to clear up before the government takes any action. Dust particles caused by forest fires in this northern province have risen to their highest concentration in two weeks, measured Wednesday at nearly 400 microgrammes per cubic metre. The highest level was measured at 383 microgrammes per cubic metre at Yupparatch Wittayalai in the provincial seat, compared to the health standard of a maximum of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre. The regional environmental office reported the figure to the government, but solutions were not necessarily in sight.

The mayor of Chiang Mai municipality said the city is urging residents to spray water into the air by hoses to reduce dust particles and to increase moisture in the atmosphere. The municipality is turning on fountains around the city, at historic moats and at other sites. The province has banned all outdoor fires and has accelerated the activities of forest fire response teams, including using fire engines to spray water throughout residential areas to reduce the effects of the concentrated pollution. Akkhanee Moonmek of the Love Chiang Mai Group said that the government's response was too slow to deal with the problem. "It ignored the problem and adopted a wait-and-see policy," he said critically, suggesting the response was too little, too late. He said the government should ban fires and declare an environmental emergency. It should also warn local residents of the health hazards posed by the dust. The numbers of patients suffering from respiratory diseases has increased markedly throughout the region. Dr. Pisit Sriprasert at Nan's provincial hospital said about 160 patients per day are visiting his hospital.

Nan forest fire control chief Muangman Kerdnana said the seasonal fires were expected to be critical due to severe drought. His firefighters are prepared to work around the clock, but are short of necessary equipment for the numbers of workers needed. Mai Sai district hospital director Dr. Sura Khunkongkhapan in Chiang Rai said many villagers are suffering from smoke-related respiratory diseases. Patients from Thailand and Myanmar crossing the nearby border are coming to the hospital by as many as 100-200 people daily. Most of the patients are the elderly and children.

Northern region weather chief Thatsanee Chaichiengpin said a southwesterly wind is expected to move into the northern provinces and will increase humidity, coupled with artificial rain-making to help wash out the haze. Royal rain-making operations centre director Somchai Ruangsutthinaruepab said that two more aircraft will fly Thursday, joining Royal Thai Air Force planes already in use to coax the rain daily since Friday March 9, he added. The rain-making operations have not yet succeeded, he said, because smoke from the forest fires are rising as high as 10,000 feet.

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Also:

Haze may be killing northern tourism - Bangkok Post, 15 March 2007

(TNA) – The widespread haze and dust particles choking the northern region of Thailand is having a direct impact both on public health and local economic activities, particularly tourism and related services, according to the Kasikorn Research Centre. The leading think tank projected the incident would reduce the amount of currency in circulation in tourism and related services in upper northern provinces of Chieng Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son in March and April by around 2 billion baht (about $65.5 million) or 25 per cent of the total.

It said the smaller number of tourists would lead to a decline in spending in March and April during which there are long holidays in many festivals such as Songkran or the Thai New Year. The haze and dust particles have choked many provinces in the Upper North in the past two weeks. The situation, the most critical in nine years, stemmed partly from El Nino, an abnormal warming of the globe, which caused raging forest fire in many areas of the North.

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Interesting reader comments from the postbag... pointing at reasons other than "El Nino".

London in 1952, and Chiang Mai today

I can just about remember London in the 1950s but although I was only seven years old at the time I remember 1952 very well. Air pollution, due to burning coal, was very bad then. On Dec 5 that year, this air pollution sank onto London. The result was that about 12,000 people died, mainly from pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis and heart failure. Eventually the government passed the first Clean Air Act (in 1956) and coal burning in London was stopped.

In Chiang Mai today, we are facing a similar situation. People are dying every year from airborne pollution. This year the pollution is worse than other years. There is one difference between the situation in London in 1952 and the situation in Chiang Mai in 2007. In London people had to burn coal to keep warm. In Chiang Mai the burning has no purpose or reason. It is done out of pure ignorance. The police do nothing to enforce the existing law.

I recently saw a policeman stand and watch somebody setting light to a pile of rubbish that included plastic and other toxic waste as well as dried grass and leaves. A smouldering fire later released toxins and deadly smoke particles into an already polluted atmosphere. The policeman stood and watched with a stupid grin on his face.

DAVID WENMAN

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The North's on fire

I live in Chiang Mai. The air quality is now so bad my family has to stay inside and keep the air-conditioner on. I pity those who do not have air-conditioners and air filters to help them. Chiang Mai is not the only place where fires are burning. Smoke is covering most of the North. I recently took a trip to Chiang Rai and Mae Sai. Forest fires were blazing away in the mountains all along the way. Then a few days ago I travelled from Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang and Om Koi, then down to Mae Ramat and Mae Sot, back through Tak, and finally Chiang Mai again. Everywhere I went, fires were burning along the road and up the mountain sides.

I have never seen anything like this before. The entire North of Thailand is filled with smoke. Who is responsible for this? During my trips I clearly saw evidence of the felling of large trees and land encroachment by burning off large areas of forest. And this was very near the main road! Are people using the smoke as cover to grab land? Fires were burning right alongside the road near police and army checkpoints without anyone paying attention. Last week there was a large fire raging just behind an army base on Fang Road. Why doesn't the army do something? Why is no one putting these fires out? Where is the Forestry Department? Does no one have the responsibility of protecting the forest and the health of the people?

The worst part of all this is that people blatantly continue to burn trash and clear land as if nothing is wrong. What is going to be done about this? Please don't tell me about seeding clouds to make rain. The planes will be grounded because of poor visibility due to the smoke. The government should not wonder why tourism is dropping off and Thailand is losing its charm for visitors. Who wants to come to a place that looks like the Gates of Hades? In a few days my wife and I will be fleeing Chiang Mai to Bangkok so that we can get some fresh air!

What a travesty. What an embarrassment this is for Thailand. Those responsible for letting this happen should be rounded up and punished severely and replaced by people who love Thailand and are willing to do their duty. It makes me ashamed to see the forests Their Majesties the King and Queen have fought so long to preserve go up in flames because nobody cares.

LEON SEXTON

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How The Irrawaddy's cartoonist Harn Lay sees the situation: