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Wildfires intensified across northern and western Thailand, with 2,165 hotspots detected, as officials and an army of 25,000 fire-fighters escalated aerial and ground operations to contain spreading blazes.

Wildfires intensified across northern and western Thailand, with 2,165 hotspots detected, as officials and an army of 25,000 fire-fighters escalated aerial and ground operations to contain spreading blazes.

Data from the Wildfire and Haze Surveillance and Control Operations Centre on Thursday showed hotspots across 17 northern provinces, dominated by conservation forests with 1,329 points and national reserves with 720.

Nan recorded the highest number of hotspots at 287 points, followed by Chiang Rai (283), Lampang (278), Chiang Mai (244) and Tak (180).

From Dec 1 last year to April 14, northern Thailand recorded 72,527 hotspots, up 25.27% year on year, led by Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Lampang, the centre said.

Most occurred in protected and reserved forests. PM2.5 ranged between 4.00 and 343.90 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m), exceeding standards on 112 days, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

The Pollution Control Department on Thursday indicated PM2.5 levels exceeded safety limits in all northern provinces, with readings in Chiang Rai reaching 188.7 µg/m, posing health risks as the safety threshold is at 37.5 µg/m.

In Chiang Mai, wildfires continued to spread for a second consecutive day at the Chiang Dao wildlife sanctuary in Chiang Dao district.

Deputy governor Chatchawan Panya inspected the site and warned that the situation remained critical. "The fire is rapidly climbing towards Doi Luang Chiang Dao due to dry and hot conditions. If containment lines fail, it could reach the summit," he said.

Authorities deployed helicopters and specialised teams to contain at least 27 active fire points, while drones carried out 35 water drops totalling 1,500 litres to slow the spread.

Chiang Mai governor Rattapol Naradisorn ordered stricter wildfire measures, including proactive patrols, tighter forest controls, more checkpoints, drone monitoring, and rapid suppression. Some 25,000 firefighters were tackling rising hotspots.

In Mae Hong Son, officials and villagers worked jointly to control fires in reserved forests, extinguishing one blaze within an hour after it burned about 5 rai.

However, tensions emerged as ethnic communities opposed forest closure orders, arguing the restrictions threatened their livelihoods.

"We depend on the forest for daily food. Closing it means cutting off our way of life," a local villager said.

Meanwhile, Chae Son National Park staff announced the temporary closure of the park to combat wildfires and for the safety of tourists. Further west, helicopters were deployed over steep terrain in Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi, where fires were near a temple. Ground teams trekked through difficult terrain to build firebreaks and prevent wider damage.

In Phetchaburi, fires in Kaeng Krachan forest areas damaged more than 2,000 rai, with some blazes linked to illegal land clearing. Over 80 personnel and helicopters were mobilised, though access required nearly one day on foot in some zones.

Loei province in the Northeast faced persistent fires across mountainous areas, with 160 hotspots recorded and damage totalling more than 200 rai in some districts. Thick haze pushed air quality index levels to 209, firmly in the red category. Officials acknowledged the strain on personnel, with some firefighters injured or resigning after prolonged operations in harsh conditions.