Authorities deployed six helicopters yesterday to put out the rest of the mountain fire on Khao Wangree, that earlier spread from a massive blaze on Khao Chaphlu caused by a lightning strike in Nakhon Nayok.
Following the lightning strike, strong winds fuelled the spread of the fire to Khao Laem, which is near tambon Phrommani and Khao Phra in Muang district on Wednesday, and then to Khao Nang Dam on Thursday.
By Friday, five helicopters had been deployed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to release 191,000 litres of water to douse the wildfire in the forest, with fire barriers set up by ground support.
But a report from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) yesterday showed the fire was spreading from Khao Nang Dam to Khao Tabak and Khao Wangree, with the blaze having already ravaged 1,067 rai of land. No estimate of damage was immediately available.
Forest rangers, fire control officials, rescuers and volunteers were sent to monitor the situation in Khao Wangree at dawn yesterday. By 1pm, six helicopters were attempting to douse the fire.