Authorities are tackling forest fires near Hua Hin after satellite data detected multiple hotspots over two consecutive days in forest areas towards Cha-am, prompting concern among local residents about air quality.
Protected Area Management Office 3 (Phetchaburi Branch) confirmed that ground teams and aircraft were deployed to contain the fires in the Sam Phraya area, with smoke visible from parts of Hua Hin including the Hin Lek Fai and Black Mountain areas. Hua Hin Today has been contacted by several readers worried about the fires and the impact on PM2.5 levels.
On the morning of 28 January, senior officials including Sukhum Jantachote, director of the Phetchaburi Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, and Nithat Nunsong, director of Protected Area Management Office 3 (Phetchaburi Branch), travelled to the area to take charge of fire control operations. They were joined by forestry and fire control officials from multiple agencies, while the deputy governor of Phetchaburi observed operations on site.
According to Mr Nithat, the first alerts were received on 27 January after the Suomi NPP satellite detected three heat hotspots within the Sam Phraya Non-Hunting Area preparation zone. One hotspot was identified in the morning, followed by two more later in the day. All were located within the same cluster.
A joint team of 20 officers from the Sam Phraya Non-Hunting Area preparation zone, the Klai Kangwon Palace Forest Fire Control Command Centre and the Cha-am Non-Hunting Area was deployed. Two of the hotspots were extinguished, while firebreaks were constructed to prevent the remaining fire from spreading.
Helicopter deployed as authorities step up response
On 28 January, another hotspot was detected in the same area, indicating continued fire activity. Authorities coordinated with local and provincial agencies, including the Sam Phraya Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and the Nong Phlap Forest Fire Control Station, to reinforce operations.
The response was escalated with 25 ground personnel deployed across three high-risk locations. Due to steep terrain in parts of the affected area, a helicopter was requested from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Central Region Coordination Centre in Nakhon Sawan.
During afternoon operations, the helicopter carried out 30 water drops, releasing a total of 15,000 litres of water from nearby sources. Officials said the situation was under control, though light smoke remained visible near some mountaintops. Firebreaks were reinforced, and teams were stationed overnight to prevent flare-ups, with further inspections planned.
Authorities said the forest fires had caused damage to forest resources and wildlife and contributed to fine particulate pollution, raising public health concerns. Residents have been urged to strictly avoid open burning in forested and open areas.
Anyone who spots forest fires or illegal burning is encouraged to report it to local authorities or contact the Forest Protection Hotline on 1362, which operates 24 hours a day.
