Aerial firefighting to combat forest fire in Nakhon Nayok

BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) -- The Royal Thai Army has sent its soldiers to put out forest fire in Nakhon Nayok province as aerial firefighting may be launched to cope with the blaze. Army deputy spokesperson Sirichan Ngathong said forest fires happened in many areas of Nakhon Nayok since Feb 27 including those on the Khao Lamduan mountain in Khao Phra sub-district and the Khao Farami mountain in Phrom Manee sub-district of Muang Nakhon Nayok district and on the Khao Khok mountain in Sri Ka-ang sub-district of Ban Na district. Firefighters of Nakhon Nayok, Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces and soldiers from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy could control the fire on Khao Farami and Khao Lamduan mountains. She said that the concerned organisations continue to fight the fire and make firebreaks. The firefighting area is on the Khao Khok mountain in Sri Ka-ang sub-district and 120 more firefighters are deployed from the infantry battalion of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. A helicopter of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will observe and assess the forest fire and aerial firefighting may be applied to help firefighters on the ground relieve the situation quickly and protect communities. The Army Disaster Relief Center is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to offer more support if it is likely to deteriorate, the deputy spokesperson of the army said. (TNA)