Currently, wildfire activity — as indicated by the hotspot graph for 20–26 April 2026 — remains higher than the 5-year average.

Currently, wildfire activity — as indicated by the hotspot graph for 20–26 April 2026 — remains higher than the 5-year average. High-risk provinces include Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Lampang, and Kanchanaburi, where numerous hotspots have been detected; most of these are located in mountainous areas and are difficult to access. Combined with dry weather conditions, the accumulation of forest fuel, and a tendency toward El Niño conditions by mid-year, the risk of wildfire spread when burning occurs is significantly heightened, mirroring the situation in 2023.

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The wildfire situation this week requires close monitoring to assess whether its severity will reach or exceed 2023 levels. Although the weather forecast for April 23–25, 2026 indicates thunderstorms in many areas, which may help reduce hotspot levels, continued vigilance regarding agricultural burning remains essential, particularly for land preparation in areas adjacent to forests, despite existing burning bans.

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To address this, GISTDA utilizes satellite data to monitor hotspots and analyze risk areas, enabling effective surveillance and response planning. This includes identifying pollution sources from neighboring countries to support measures such as the Prime Minister's directive to cease purchasing agricultural products produced through burning, thereby reducing transboundary haze pollution.