Officials boarded a helicopter to survey the forest fires and observed wild elephants fleeing the blaze on the mountains within Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary.
On 18 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that following forest fires spreading over more than 5,000 rai in Chaiyaphum province, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, expressed concern and prioritized addressing the forest fire problem in the province. He assigned Police Major General Nantachart Supamongkol, advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, to join firefighting efforts with relevant agencies at the Huai Rai Subdistrict Administrative Organization meeting room in Khon San district, Chaiyaphum, on 17 Feb. This was to monitor the ongoing forest fire situation and illegal burning spreading into Phu Laen Kha area of Tat Ton National Park, which had persisted for six days.
The fires began around 9:30 p.m. on 13 Feb 2026 GMT+7, starting from the Phu Laen Kha mountain range near Ban Chon Daen, Village 5, Chong Sam Mo Subdistrict, Khon San district, and the border with Kaeng Khro district. The forest fires spread close to Ban Chon Daen area. Local agencies dispatched water trucks and personnel to contain the fire, beginning behind Kuha Sawan Temple in Ban Chon Daen, then moving to extinguish fires climbing the Phu Laen Kha mountain peaks. Firefighters worked intensely, using fire trucks to spray water for hours until the flames were controlled. Personnel maintained vigilance throughout the night from 13 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
It was also found that the forest fires on Phu Laen Kha mountain range were caused by local villagers who illegally set fires to hunt wildlife and collect forest products, aiming to stimulate the growth of wild vegetables by burning the forest. This forest fire is expected to have caused significant damage to forest areas. The fire on Phu Laen Kha mountain has yet to be fully controlled and has continued for six consecutive days. Some fire areas are on steep cliffs, making firefighting difficult, including parts within Phu Laen Kha National Park and Tat Ton National Park.
Regarding the forest fire situation in the Phu Laen Kha reserved forest in Khon San district, Chaiyaphum, the Khon San District Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command reported current firefighting operations and conditions on Phu Laen Kha mountain. The Forest Fire Control Station at Tat Ton-Phu Laen Kha also reported operational results and challenges, noting limited personnel and lack of knowledge and equipment for firefighting, insufficient budget, and importantly, fire trucks could not access the steep mountainous terrain.
Meanwhile, the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department supported aerial firefighting operations over Phu Laen Kha mountain, conducting up to 25 flights daily, each carrying 500 liters of water. On 17 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Anan Nakniyom, Governor of Chaiyaphum province, flew by helicopter to drop water bags to extinguish fires in steep areas difficult to access on foot. By evening, the fire situation had begun to calm and improve. However, officials and community leaders were urged to maintain vigilance to prevent subsequent PM 2.5 air pollution issues.
After the situation on Phu Laen Kha mountain eased, officials received reports from Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary of forest fires spreading over several hundred rai in the Phu Khieo forest area around Ban Nong Plong, extending to Ban Sapung Nuea in Nong Waeng Subdistrict, Nong Bua Daeng district, Chaiyaphum. A helicopter from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was dispatched to survey the mountain ridge within Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, finding smoke plumes covering multiple forest areas and flames rapidly burning dry forest fuels throughout the mountain.
While the helicopter was monitoring the forest fire situation, several officials were observed actively firefighting on the ground. They spotted one wild elephant fleeing the fire uphill, less than 300 meters from the firefighters’ position. Concerned for the safety of personnel, officials ordered some teams to withdraw from areas where the elephant was escaping the fire uphill.
The aerial survey revealed that the upper ridge remains lush and green, supported by water sources that feed the Chi River flowing down to the partially constructed Lam Sapung Nuea dam. The Phu Khieo forest area is home to diverse wildlife species. Forest officials have mobilized over 30 firefighters from Thung Kamang Wildlife Sanctuary together with more than 20 personnel from Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, carrying firefighting equipment to the fire sites. It is expected to take no more than two days to fully extinguish the fires within the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary mountain area.
Police Major General Nantachart Supamongkol, advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, after leading a helicopter survey of Phu Khieo forest areas, summarized the work of responsible officials. Present were Mr. Chalermpong Foithong, Director of Protected Areas Regional Office 7; Mr. Ronapop Kachamat, Director of Fire Control and Operations; Mr. Therdsak Klamkrathok, Director of Chaiyaphum Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office; Mr. Phichit Chusakun, Director of Chaiyaphum Forest Center; Mr. Thanakorn Srisurak, Chief of Phu Khieo Fire Control Station; and Ms. Chatwarun Angkaew, Assistant Chief of Tat Ton National Park, along with all forestry personnel who have been diligently combating the fires under challenging conditions. Some fire areas are inaccessible by vehicles, requiring firefighters to walk more than 4 kilometers on foot to reach the blaze.
Meanwhile, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, ordered additional helicopter support for firefighting, as some fire zones are in high, difficult-to-access areas.
Authorities appealed to local villagers to stop carelessly setting fires just to make gathering forest products like mushrooms or wild vegetables easier by burning dry grass and shrubs. Such actions cause extensive forest and wildlife losses, including many wild turtles and hens that perish protecting their nests and unable to escape. Officials and local administration were urged to educate villagers who might be unaware or intentionally setting fires, warning that those caught will face multiple legal charges.