Chiang Mai Prepares Plans to Face Dry Season and Forest Fires, Increasing Community and Tourist Involvement

With last season’s rainfall showing volatile patterns, relevant agencies in Chiang Mai province are accelerating plans to handle the dry season and the risk of forest fires toward the end of 2026. A joint meeting of government agencies, local organizations, communities, and the tourism sector was held to set preventive measures and reduce impacts on residents and visitors.

The risk-management plan emphasizes preventive steps, including adding weather-monitoring stations and forest-fire watch posts, conducting evacuation drills in high-risk areas, running campaigns to promote water conservation, and designating reserve water supplies for consumption during crises. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, together with the Royal Forest Department and local municipalities, has surveyed at-risk areas in both urban and rural zones to prioritize resource allocation.

A key issue is involving communities and tourists. Chiang Mai’s tourism sector has been advised to proactively inform visitors about appropriate behavior when visiting natural areas — for example, refraining from burning debris in open spaces, not lighting fires near forests, and following officials’ instructions when warnings are issued. Meanwhile, many communities are developing volunteer forest-guard programs that work with state agencies to patrol and report fire incidents.

The impacts of drought and forest fires are not only environmental but also economic and health-related for Chiang Mai residents and tourists. smoke from burning and wildfires can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses and reduce tourism quality. Hotels and tourism operators are expected to adapt services, such as enhancing air filtration at accommodations and providing alternative travel information in case roads are closed or certain attractions are temporarily unavailable due to fires.

To address long-term impacts, the province is also considering promoting sustainable agriculture, restoring green areas around communities, and educating farmers on non-burning methods for managing agricultural residues. These policies aim to reduce smoke emissions and prevent fires from spreading into forests. The province is also exploring funding from the central government and international organizations to support environmental restoration projects and strengthen community resilience.

Clear management approaches and ongoing communication with residents and visitors are seen as crucial for Chiang Mai to reduce the impacts of drought and forest fires. Preparedness means more than equipping firefighting gear; it also involves raising awareness and fostering cooperation across all sectors. If successful, these efforts will help preserve residents’ quality of life and maintain Chiang Mai’s appeal as a tourist city with unique natural and cultural resources.