Over 20 hectares of forests damaged in wildfire

Many hectares of forests across the country have been damaged in raging wildfires triggered by hot and dry weather.
Most wildfires are the result of slash-and-burn cultivation.

A wildfire in Luang Prabang.

On April 28, a forest fire was reported in Luang Prabang province from Nangang-Tai village, Nambak district. Villagers were clearing their land to sow new crops near a forest boundary without taking adequate precautions and the fire spread over 20 hectares damaging protected forests.
The Deputy District Governor of Nambak district, Mr Bounthan Chanthasak, said they were alerted about the fire, and the concerned parties extinguished the fire.
However, the district administration has urged everyone to be vigilant.
He also called on the residents of Nam Bak to be cautious, especially when clearing their fields and burning agricultural refuse as forest fires are common during the hot weather.
As for the measures against offenders, the district administration has instructed the relevant parties to educate them and then award punishments as per law.
Another wildfire was reported from the Forest Protection Area in Latkhoun village, Meung district, Bokeo province on May 1.
Local volunteers teamed up to extinguish the forest fire. Trees were cut down and a liquid poured on the roads to prevent the fire from spreading.
Meanwhile, Khammuan Provincial Authority has also issued a notice to draw attention towards these fires urging people to stay alert and prevent the spread of wildfires in the province.
The resulting smog has covered a wide area of Laos, with PM2.5 levels reaching unacceptable levels in some places.
The government has instructed the relevant ministries and local authorities to deal with the problem, such as issuing legislations to check forest fires.
Government officials have also been advised to circulate information about forest fires so that the public is better informed about the causes and effects of air pollution and are encouraged to put a stop to the tradition of burning to clear vegetation from farmland.
Various departments have been ordered to monitor the situation and submit reports on air pollution to keep the public informed, as well as monitor heat accumulation points so that these can be pinpointed and the relevant parties are alerted.
It has also been recommended that patrol points be set up to monitor and prevent the spread of wildfires and to be prepared if the fire spirals out of control.
The prevailing climate hot and dry weather are conducive conditions for forest fires, which are difficult to extinguish and fill the air with fine particles of ash.

By Times​ Reporters​
 (Latest Update May 3, 2024)