The popular tourist town of Pai, located in Mae Hong Son province in Thailand, is currently facing dangerous levels of PM2.5 particle air pollution. The Mae Hong Son Wildfire and Smog Operations Center said PM2.5 levels in the air are an alarming 398 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg/m3), almost eight times the safe threshold of 50 mcg/m3. PM2.5 levels were also high in Muang district, 196 µg/m3 and 132 µg/m3 in Mae Saring district.
This spike in PM2.5 levels is the result of wildfires and agricultural waste burning in the region. Satellite imagery revealed 313 wildfires in the northern province as of late Wednesday. Satellite recorded 190 forest fires on Thursday, and the number is expected to rise as the day progresses. Pai District was the worst hit with 75 bushfires, followed by Muang with 50, Khun Yuam with 24, Phang Ma Pha with 13, Mae Saryan with 13, Sob Moei with 8 and Mae La Noi with 7.
Arkhom Bunnonetae, head of the Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong Son, sent officials to speak with the villagers of Tambon Sao Hin village in Mae Sariang district and ask them to refrain from burning weeds. In addition, on Thursday, the head of the Muang Sangkhom district, Kudchiangsaen, instructed officials to put out forest fires behind a gas station and behind the Tanyarak hospital.
In order to reduce PM2.5 levels in the city of Pai, Anek Pantayom, director of the Pai Fire Operations Center, agreed with the local government to spray water in the area. The center also sent officials to the village of Ban Sobsa in Tambon Muang Paeng, which is adjacent to the Kalayaniwattana district, to try to contain the wildfires.
The current situation in Pai is alarming and the authorities must take immediate action to fight the wildfires and bring PM2.5 levels down to safe limits. It is important for villagers to understand the seriousness of the situation and refrain from burning weeds and crop residues that contribute to high levels of air pollution.
