Bangkok (VNA) –According to Thailand’s Geo-Informaticsand Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), the recentoutbreak of wildfires in the country has put an estimated 160,000 hectares in 10 northern provinces at risk, marking a criticalenvironmental and humanitarian crisis.
The affected provinces are Tak, Lampang, ChiangMai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phitsanulok,Uttaradit, and Kamphaeng Phet.
The GISTDA said that the conflagration is often igniteddeliberately by farmers engaging in pre-planting or post-harvest burns. Most concerning is theincineration of conserved areas within national parks and agricultural zones.The agency vows to combat the blazes with rigorous measures.
Utilising satellitetechnology, GISTDA reports a staggering 1,532 hot spots nationwide, with 221 in Kanchanaburialone.
TheGISTDA has announced 1,485 wildfires hot spots in Myanmar, 851 spots in Laos, 833 spots in Cambodiaand 595 spots in Vietnam./.