NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Aug 7 (TNA) – Raging fires at peat
swamp forests in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat have continued
for 10 days as military personnel join the firefighting operations.
The Fourth Army Region based in the province has sent
helicopters and additional resources to help firefighters battle the fires in
the Khuan Khreng peat swamp forests that have erupted since July 29.
The fires have affected five districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat
province with the worst fire in Chian Yai district. Local authorities have been providing
assistance to affected villagers in declared disaster zones.
In Songkhla, drought and gusty wind caused another fire in
Thung Bang Nok-ok peat forest, prompting the provincial administration to
declare Khuan Niang district a disaster zone.
Firefighters have struggled to control the fire in the past
two days. Water pumps have been brought
in to divert water from oil palm plantations to douse the fire. (TNA)
