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Tech-equipped Indigenous firefighters protect Thai forests
A volunteer network of about 270 Indigenous Hmong villagers uses drones, cameras, and traditional methods to reduce wildfires and smoke in Chiang Mai, cutting fires since 2020.
- In Chiang Mai, Indigenous volunteers are deploying drones and traditional firefighting techniques to protect Doi Suthep-Pui National Park from wildfires, defending Thailand from hazardous smoke this year.
- The Hmong, an Indigenous group that migrated in the mid-20th century, continue applying traditional methods to prevent wildfires after devastating 2020 blazes tore through the mountains above the city.
- A network of about 270 volunteers manages nearly 1,600 hectares of forest using leaf blowers, infrared drones, and internet-connected treetop cameras, requiring about 1.5 million baht annually for maintenance.
- Mathaphan Phuchakritdapa, chief of Suthep subdistrict, stated, "We are not destroying the forest," noting the community receives only around 50,000 baht annually in government funding to support prevention efforts.
- Data from NASA shows far fewer fires this year compared to the peak crisis period, while authorities have implemented a strict five-month ban on open burning to control air pollution.
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26 Articles
26 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources26
Leaning Left3Leaning Right5Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 20%
C 47%
R 33%
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