PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has rejected Thai news claims that fires are spreading from the country to destroy Banthat Mountain forests in Trat.

English-language news site The Nation made the controversial claim on Feb. 11 in an article headlined “Fires from Cambodia Ravage Banthat Mountain Forests in Trat.” 

The site said the mountains have suffered extensive forest destruction.

However, Cambdia’s Pursat Environment Department said Thma Da, the sole provincial commune bordering Trat, doesn’t have dense forest favorable for fire.

Instead, the area had seen small-scale grass, brush and reed fires in Veal Veng’s Thma Da commune, where the fires were contained with no spillover.

“The forest fire at Banthat mountains in Trat province is not related to Cambodia as reported by The Nation,” the department said. 

“We take forest fire into serious consideration and won’t let the fire spread, harming Cambodian people.”

The Environment Ministry backed the Pursat department, citing satellite imagery and the wind direction inspecting the fire situation in Thma Da as reported by the provincial department as correct.

“The Nation Thailand’s publication is baseless and incorrect,” the ministry said. “The public should not believe in false reporting.”

Heng Kimhong, president of the Cambodian Youth Network and an environmental defender, said the forest fire was not a surprise because it often happens in tropical areas with dry and humid conditions as in Cambodia and Thailand.

He said that the fires could spread to the border vicinity if thorough invention and extinguishing are not timely and effective.

“Our neighboring countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, are susceptible to forest fires due to the dry season causing dead leaves to scatter, which easily get burned and spread,” he said. 

Thailand has faced serious forest fires, especially in the northern regions, leading to the government allocating funds to combat the issues. 

Environment Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya agreed that the forest fires happened in the dry and rainless season. Cambodia had never experienced prolonged or large-scale forest fires but had seen fires in broom grass and reeds.

“Dead and dry leaves and careless trash burning are the perfect combination for fires,” he said. “We have recently urged citizens to be cautious and mindful about their activities.”

Certain fires are often caused by negligence during activities such as cooking, bee collecting, burning grass or harvesting forest products, he said. 

Heng Kimhong of CYN hopes to see strict and long-term prevention measures to ensure that forest fires during the dry season won’t ravage the ecosystem and biodiversity and circulate to the landmine areas. 

“Forest fires are normal issues, but relevant parties must ensure prevention measures,” he said. “Preventing these​ forest fires from becoming a usual incident would be advantageous.”

Khvay Atitya said that before the dry season comes the ministry starts to notify people not to burn materials in the open. Since 2020, the Environment and Agriculture ministries have enforced measures on the prevention of toxic fumes, forest burning and illegal forest land encroachment.

He said police, rangers and local authorities are ready to put out fires at any time.

“We are not neglecting this issue,” he said. “We have the forces and fire trucks at the bases ready to rescue and intervene.” 

According to the Global Forest Watch, the peak fire season in Cambodia lasts between mid-December and March. Between February 10 and 12, 5,862 VIIRS fire alerts were reported, a normal increase from previous years dating back to 2012.

From 2001 to 2023, Cambodia experienced a significant loss of 27.400 hectares of tree cover due to fires, with 2009 being the most affected year, accounting for 2.6 percent of the total loss.

Over the past weeks, Cambodia has also experienced deteriorating air quality, reaching unhealthy levels.