Khuan Khreng peat fire reaches sixth village on third day
Khuan Khreng’s peat fire has reached a sixth village on day three, with smoke cutting visibility in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla.
The Khuan Khreng peat-swamp fire spread into a sixth village in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Sunday (August 16) and remained out of control on its third consecutive day, with strong winds and dry conditions hampering efforts to contain the blaze.
The latest outbreak reached Village 4 in Khreng subdistrict, Cha-uat district, after previously burning across villages 1, 6, 8, 9 and 11 within the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area.
Village 4 borders Village 11, where the fire had already been burning on Saturday.
Flames were spreading rapidly through grass, white paperbark trees and dry peat, moving closer to oil-palm plantations and homes around the swamp forest. Firefighters were drawing water from several local authorities to defend areas near surrounding communities.
Dry peat and strong winds hamper containment
Wikanchananat Boondam, acting chief of the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area in Phatthalung, confirmed that the fire had not yet been contained.
High temperatures and a surface water level about one metre below ground had left the peatland extremely dry, while strong gusts were driving the flames across a wider area and making firefighting operations more difficult.
Personnel were continuing efforts to suppress the blaze despite the intense heat and difficult conditions.
Ground crews were spraying water and constructing firebreaks, with particular attention given to areas exposed to strong winds.
More than 12 water trucks deployed
The Khreng Subdistrict Administrative Organisation coordinated more than 12 water trucks from local authorities across Cha-uat district after the fire intensified.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Somchai Leelanoi ordered the urgent mobilisation of personnel and equipment from all relevant sectors.
The operation involves administrative officials, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, natural-resources agencies, local administrative organisations and other emergency personnel.
Authorities also planned to use helicopter support to obtain a clearer overview of the affected area, locate active hotspots and track the direction in which the fire was moving.
The aerial assessment was expected to help commanders deploy ground teams more quickly and direct firefighting resources towards priority areas.
Smoke spreads into Songkhla
Strong winds have carried smoke from the peat fire across lower Cha-uat district and Hua Sai district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, as well as Ranot district in neighbouring Songkhla.
Visibility on some roads has fallen to extremely low levels, leaving motorists barely able to see the route ahead.
The province said it was fully mobilising personnel and resources to bring the fire under control and reduce the effects on nearby residents, plantations and communities as quickly as possible.
