On the evening of 31st January 2026, authorities were notified of a forest fire in Doi Tao district, affecting a national forest reserve and a wildlife non-hunting area. Officials launched a “walk-in firefighting” operation on steep terrain under the direction of Thanaphat Rattanasamai, Acting District Chief of Doi Tao.
A rapid response team—comprising district officials, sub-district and village heads, civil defence volunteers, members of the Volunteer Defence Corps, and forest fire volunteers—was immediately deployed to the area near Ban Plaeng 8, Village No. 2, Tha Duea sub-district.
An inspection found the fire burning along a stretch of dry dipterocarp forest extending more than 600 metres, with heavy fuel accumulation. Initial damage is estimated at around 50 rai. Fire engines were unable to access the area due to steep terrain, requiring officials to proceed on foot and by motorcycle only.
Operations were divided into two teams:
- Team 1, led by a district officer, moved to the hilltop to prevent the fire from spreading into the Ban Hong Wildlife Non-Hunting Area in Lamphun province, a difficult area to control.
- Team 2, led by sub-district and village heads, established firebreaks below to contain the blaze and direct it towards a natural stream, preventing it from spreading to nearby communities.
Fire control operations began at 7.45pm and the blaze was fully contained by 9.15pm, taking approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The operation was completed successfully, with all personnel reported safe.
On the morning of 1st February 2026, officials deployed drones to conduct a detailed survey of the affected area before submitting a full damage report.
