Army deploys MI-17 helicopters as northern wildfire hotspots hit 722

The Region 3 Forward Operations Centre for Wildfire, Haze and Particulate Prevention recorded 722 hotspots across 17 northern provinces this morning, with Chiang Mai leading at 163 points, followed by Mae Hong Son at 162 and Tak at 79. The majority — 465 points — fell within conservation forest areas, with a further 224 in reserved forests and 16 in agricultural reform zones.

PM2.5 readings exceeded safe limits across all 17 provinces. The highest reading was recorded at Mueang Na subdistrict in Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai, at 345 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Wiang Tai subdistrict in Pai, at 317 and Wiang Phan Kham in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, at 216—all classified as having direct health impacts.

In response, the Royal Thai Army has deployed an MI-17 helicopter equipped with water-dropping system to Chiang Mai’s 7th Infantry Division airfield in Mae Rim. The aircraft will operate under a joint plan developed between the army, the Royal Thai Air Force’s Forward Aerial Firefighting Support Unit and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, with missions and targets coordinated directly with flight crews to maximise effectiveness.

On the ground, Internal Security Operations Command units in each province have been directed to deploy water-misting vehicles for continuous dust suppression.

Today’s aerial operations are focused on three areas across two provinces: Li and Mueang districts in Lamphun and Hod district in Chiang Mai.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​