Kick-Off addresses forest fires, smog and PM2.5 toward sustainable management

21 March 2569: Yesterday (20 March 2569) at the Maipoung-Hwa-Phung Corn Farm in Mae Na Chon Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, Mr. Samboon Payaew, Chairman of Mae Na Chon Subdistrict Administrative Organization, together with Chiang Mai Province Land Development Station, the Luang Ma-Loo Project for High-rise Areas Development, Mae Chaem Forest Protection and Development Unit and network partners, organized a kick-off event on integrated solutions to forest fire smoke, PM2.5 smoke dust and capacity development of forest fire control officers and first aid. The event was organized by the Mae Na Chon SAO and the Mae Na Chon SAO Village Fire Control Task Force, with the participation of local leaders, government officials, fire fighting teams and farmers to integrate the systemic and sustainable management of forest fires, smog and PM2.5 dust at the local level. The activities included training of all 19 village fire fighting teams and the Mae Na Chon SAO task force to enhance knowledge, basic fire fighting skills and first aid. It also promoted the value-adding of agricultural waste materials by using corn husk as biofuel or feed for animals to help reduce burning, reduce PM2.5 dust and generate income for farmers. In addition, Ban Mae Wak farming community produced more than 150 tons of “giant fertilizer” from corn residues and Mae Na Chon, Sabawang and North Mae Na Chon communities made fertilizers. The 2013-2014 fiscal year, the Chiang Mai Province has been working to reduce the use of chemicals, restore soil and reduce smog sustainably.