Fires continue to rage in Lampang

LAMPANG, March 5 (TNA) -- Authorities in Thailand's northern Lampang province continued to hurriedly put out the fires raging through the national park to prevent severe damage, as most have speculated that the main cause of the fire was due to illegal poaching. Head of the Doi Jong National Park in Thoen district, Sompong Boontoon reported that currently, a forest fire has remained ablaze within the Huay Krating forest of Mae Tod village, in Mae Tod subdistrict, which is located within the vicinity of the national park. He said authorities have been mobilised to the are to immediately control the fire, as the fire has already damaged over 20 acres of forest lands, since the area is filled with dense forests and dried leaves which caused the blaze to spread fairly quickly. Meanwhile, the Lampang Forest Fire and Haze Prevention and Mitigation Adhoc Centre has received a report that forest fires have erupted in many areas including Jae Son National Park in Mueang Parn district, as well as within Doi Pha Mueang Wildlife Conservation in Hang Chat district damaging a total area of over 24 acres of forests. Head of the Lampang Forest Fire Control Centre Sujin Champangoen stated that after authorities have inspected the scenes of the fires, various evidences were found pointing that the fires might have been started by humans. Authorities have reported to have found cigarette packs, bullet shells, and wild rooster feather all of which are believed to have been left by poachers. The ongoing forest fires in Lampang province have also caused a thick blanket of haze in the area and affecting local people's health. (TNA)