BANGKOK: The Command Centre for Forest Fire, Haze, and Dust Pollution Prevention and Mitigation, Region 3, reported on Thursday (March 5) that it detected 235 hotspots across 17 northern provinces.
Most were found in national forest reserves (104), followed by conservation forests (91) and agricultural land reform areas (15).
Lampang recorded the highest number of hotspots at 60, followed by Phrae with 33 and Nan with 24. The situation pushed PM2.5 pollution above the standard limit in 16 provinces.
Areas facing severe health impacts were concentrated in three key provinces: Phra Bat subdistrict in Lampang and Ban Klang subdistrict in Lamphun, which both recorded the same peak level of 94.10 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Na Chak subdistrict in Phrae at 80.30 micrograms per cubic metre.
Several areas also remained in the orange category, including Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai at 72.60 micrograms per cubic metre and Phayao province at 72.40—reflecting a worsening forest-fire and toxic haze situation.
In Chiang Mai city, heavy wildfire smoke has blanketed the area so densely that Doi Suthep is no longer visible. Visibility has also been affected around the runway at Chiang Mai airport, while the sky has turned brown.
Authorities say PM2.5 levels in Chiang Mai require close monitoring.
On Thursday morning, the 24-hour average PM2.5 readings in many areas were in the orange category, beginning to affect health. The highest reading in Chiang Mai was recorded at the monitoring station in Chang Phueak subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai district, at 72.6 micrograms per cubic metre.
Suthep subdistrict measured 57.7, while Si Phum subdistrict recorded 50.3—above the standard limit of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre.
Satellite data also showed large numbers of hotspots scattered across the North, including forest areas along the Chiang Mai provincial border, contributing to ongoing dust accumulation.
Chiang Mai is expected to remain in the orange category on Friday. - The Nation/ANN
