Thailand: Emergency crews responding to wildfires across Mae Hong Son Province as of March 19 /update 1

Emergency crews continue to respond to dozens of wildfires burning across Mae Hong Son Province as of March 19. The fires have broken out amid hot, dry, and windy conditions in the region since March 1; conditions conducive for further fire growth are forecast to continue over the coming days. As of March 19, at least 110 fire locations with 277 hotspots have been detected across the province. Many of the fires are burning in remote mountainous parts of the province, making them challenging to access for firefighters. Officials have reported one fatality, two injuries, and an unconfirmed number of people displaced due to the fires. Smoke from the wildfires is contributing to poor air quality in the region and health officials have reported many people have been treated for respiratory issues and other conditions associated with the smog, including eight people in critical condition. Poor visibility due to smog caused the Bangkok Airways (PG) flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) via Lampang Airport (LPT) to Mae Hong Son Airport (HGN) to be canceled March 18, the sixth time the flight has been canceled during March.

Depending on the progression of the wildfires, the status of nearby roads could change over the coming hours and days. Authorities could close additional routes within the wildfire complexes and evacuate communities due to fire activity and the needs of response operators. The return of residents could disrupt traffic flows after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region. Power outages are possible if fires damage power infrastructure. Authorities may cut off power to parts of the affected area to aid firefighting efforts.