LAMPANG– One of Northern Thailand’s most beloved natural retreats, Chae Son National Park, remains closed to the public today as officials assess the heavy toll of a fast-moving forest fire. The blaze, which began on April 15, 2026, has scorched hundreds of acres, destroyed private property, and forced a frantic evacuation of holiday travelers.
The emergency began at approximately 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15. Witnesses report that the fire moved rapidly, entering the park boundaries and spreading across the Muang Pan and Chae Hom districts.
As the flames intensified, the Chae Son Sub-district Disaster Prevention and Mitigationunit received an urgent call for backup. The scale of the fire required a massive joint operation, involving:
- Military personnel and water trucks.
- Local government task forces from Muang Pan and Chae Hom.
- The Chae Son Forest Fire Control Station.
- National Park Protection units from the Phan Ngam station.
- Local volunteers and village guards from Ban Mae Song Nuea.
The timing of the fire proved particularly dangerous. Because the incident occurred during a peak travel period, the park was filled with families and sightseers. Eyewitnesses described a scene of growing panic as smoke filled the valley, prompting a mass exodus of visitors seeking safety.
Park management acted quickly to announce a temporary closure, but for some, the escape was a close call. While no fatalities have been reported among the tourists, the psychological impact of the sudden evacuation was felt throughout the province.
The Aftermath: A Landscape Transformed
Brave firefighting teams worked through the night, eventually bringing the main blaze under control by 3:30 AM on Thursday, April 16. However, the dawn revealed a sobering scene of destruction.
According to the Management of Conservation Area 13 (Lampang Branch), the damage is extensive:
- Environmental Loss:Roughly 258 raiof mixed deciduous (Benjaphan) forest has been destroyed.
- Property Damage:The fire did not stay confined to the woods. Several houses and vehicles parked near the fire’s path were reduced to ash.
- Infrastructure:Power lines and utility systems were melted or snapped, leaving the immediate area without electricity.
- Communication:Local telephone and mobile networks are currently disrupted, making coordination difficult for residents.
Health Risks and Indefinite Closure
As of April 17, the air quality in Lampang has reached hazardous levels. The wildfire has spiked PM 2.5 dust particlesfar beyond safe standards, creating a thick blanket of smog that poses a significant health risk to elderly residents and children.
Because of these risks and the damage to the park’s infrastructure, the Director of Chae Son National Park has confirmed that the Chae Son Waterfalland the famous Chae Son Hot Springswill remain closed indefinitely.
“We cannot reopen until the utility systems are restored and the area is safe for the public,” officials stated. “The safety of our visitors and the restoration of our forest must come first.”
The local government is now pivoting toward relief efforts for those who lost their homes and cars in the blaze. Meanwhile, environmental experts are beginning to study the long-term impact on the local ecosystem. For more updates on air quality and travel advisories in Northern Thailand, citizens are encouraged to monitor the Air4Thai website or the Department of National Parks official portal.
The road to recovery for Chae Son will be long, but the bravery of the joint forces who fought the flames has prevented what could have been an even greater tragedy.
