Strong winds keep Narathiwat wildfire uncontrollable

NARATHIWAT, May 9 (TNA) - Forest fires continue to expand at several locations in the southernmost province of Narathiwat as winds and underground fires remain too strong for fire fighters. Thanya Netithammakun, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, went to Narathiwat to supervise fire-fighting operations in the forested areas of the Bang Nara river basin and the To Daeng peat swamp forest in Sungai Padi and Sungai Kolok districts. He said that fires were raging at five locations. Two of them are in Ban Ba-ngo Sarayor area of Sungai Kolok district. Fierce winds were making fires stronger there. Officials were using backhoes to extend firebreaks and dig wells at 20-meter intervals to supply water to fire fighters. The other three wildfire locations were in Ban Mai, Ban Laharn and Ban Khlong Chang areas of Sungai Padi district. Fire spread underground through firebreaks there. Difficult terrains were blocking fire fighters especially at night and fires at three locations advanced by 60-70 meters each night there. (TNA)