First forest fire of the year linked to trapping wildlife

The first forest fire of this year occurred near Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi province, with clear evidence indicating deliberate forest burning by wildlife hunters.

Athapol Charoenhunsa, director general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, revealed today that information from Pipat Chomplee, Chief of the Erawan National Park, indicates that the fire broke out on January 8 at around 6.20pm in a forested area near the national park.

Park protection staff were conducting routine patrols when they spotted dense smoke rising from a forest behind a village near the railway station in Sai Yok district.

Although the blaze originated outside the park, officers responded quickly to prevent it from spreading into protected forest areas. The fire was brought under control about an hour later, with approximately 0.32 hectares of forest damaged.

An inspection of the debris after the fire revealed evidence that the blaze was not of a natural origin, but was deliberately set to drive wildlife into snares, he said.

It is believed that poachers had placed traps along routes that animals were expected to use while fleeing the fire.

“This is the first case of such a fire this year in which we have found clear evidence of intentional forest burning for the purpose of hunting wildlife. I have ordered officers in the area to expand the investigation, to identify and prosecute the offenders,” the director general said.

Anyone who witnesses illegal activities related to forests or wildlife, or encounters forest fires, is encouraged to report them via the Department’s 24-hour hotline 1362.