Progress report on the forest fire in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary shows seven hotspots still detected. Forty officials have been dispatched along with helicopters dropping water to contain the fire within black containment lines.
On 19 February 2026, Mr. Wichanont Saenphala, head of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, reported the latest forest fire situation. After detecting hotspots scattered across the area, at 02:32 today (19 February), the Suomi NPP (VIIRS) satellite system reported seven hotspots within the responsibility area at key coordinates as follows.
Groups 1-3 are located at coordinates 790947 1790307, 790618 1790372, and 790022 1791108; groups 4-7 are at 791418 1792684, 791153 1792737, 791396 1792955, and 791129 1793009.
Inspection revealed that all seven points are continuous areas from the forest fire detected on 17 February near Ban Nong Plong, Village 2, Nong Waeng Subdistrict, Nong Bua Daeng District, Chaiyaphum Province. The current situation confirms the fire is within the black line, meaning it has already burned the area and firebreaks have been established to prevent the fire from spreading beyond.
The management measures include deploying a team of 40 fire suppression officers who are patrolling on foot to closely monitor and control any remaining fire within the black containment lines.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has deployed helicopters to assist by dropping water to extinguish fires in hard-to-reach areas and to reduce heat within the black line. Officials continue to maintain a 24-hour watch to prevent any flare-ups.
Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as progress occurs.
Information courtesy of the Facebook page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.