Cause of the Korat Wildfire: It Took Over 9 Days to Extinguish
At the beginning of 2023, Thailand faced devastating wildfires, with reports of a wildfire occurring in a national forest reserve in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Many raised questions about the cause of the fire and why it took so long—nine days—to get it under control.
The fire broke out on January 3, 2023, when the Phaya Yen Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Pak Chong reported smoke and flames spreading in the forest reserve of Khao Siad Ao, Khao Nok Yoong, and Khao Ang Hin. The incident occurred in an area known as “Khao Loi” in Ban Phaya Yen, Moo 13, which extends into Ban Sokkok, Moo 9, Phaya Yen Subdistrict, Pak Chong District. This area is about 10 kilometers away from Khao Yai National Park. The fire was eventually extinguished.
However, on January 5 and 7, the fire reignited near Baan Hua Krog, Moo 7, Phaya Yen Subdistrict. The fire spread in steep terrain with loose rocks, which posed a risk of falling. The authorities were able to control the fire in some areas and kept watch through the night to prevent it from spreading to nearby communities. Despite their efforts, the fire expanded, causing damage to more than 1,000 rai. By January 11, 2023, reports confirmed that the fire was completely extinguished, with a total of over 1,700 rai of land affected.
Cause of the Wildfire
The cause of the fire is suspected to have originated from humans, possibly due to setting fires to drive wild animals for hunting. Evidence found at the scene included .22 caliber bullet casings and animal traps. The head of the Fire Control Division commented on the situation, saying, “Most of the wildfires in Thailand today are caused by human activities, such as hunting and setting fires to bring out forest products.” However, further investigations are being carried out to confirm the exact cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Why Did It Take 9 Days to Control the Fire?
There are three main reasons why the wildfire took so long to be brought under control:
- The area affected by the fire was full of dry bamboo, which, combined with the topography, made it difficult to extinguish the flames.
- The number of personnel available to control the fire was limited because it was not during the traditional “fire season” (dry season), and local authorities allowed some areas to deal with the fire themselves.
- The fire was fueled by bamboo, and it was impossible to use wind to separate the fuel from the flames. Water was the only effective method for extinguishing the fire, which delayed the process.
These three factors contributed to the extended duration it took to control the wildfire in Korat. Once the fire was under control, the authorities began conducting further investigations and monitoring to prepare for future wildfires.
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