Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN
BANGKOK, April 2 (Bernama): Forest fires have ravaged more than 170 hectares of land in Nakhon Nayok Province in central Thailand as authorities rush to contain the blaze that broke out on Tuesday night.
Media reported that the fire began on a high part of Khao Chaplu mountain and spread to the adjacent Khao Laem in Nakhon Nayok province, 114 kilometres northeast of Bangkok.
Strong winds and dry weather fanned the spread of the wildfires to Khao Wangree mountain, Khao Tabak mountain and Khao Nang Dam mountain.
Thailand Department of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation (DDPM) said six helicopters were deployed to spray water on the fire.
"Today, drones would be deployed to monitor the spread of the fire and identify hotspots which would help firefighters to increase containment,” it said.
On Saturday, it said a total of 190,000 litres of water have been dropped to contain the fires in the area.
DDPM added that hundreds of firefighters, soldiers and volunteers were deployed to battle the forest blaze in a bid to prevent the fire from spreading into agricultural areas and people's homes.
Local media reported that firefighters were creating firebreaks in a bid to prevent the fire from spreading to Thailand’s oldest national park, Khao Yai National Park. - Bernama
