PHNOM PENH – As many as 647 forest fires broke out across the country from Mar. 20 to 26, with northeast provinces most vulnerable.    

Most were in Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces, with 101 fires each, the Environment Ministry reported.

Mondulkiri province recorded 77 cases and Kampong Thom recorded 56. Kratie province, located between them, recorded 43. Preah Vihear, at the north of Kampong Thom, recorded 54.

Phnom Penh, Kep and Pailin province recorded none and other provinces recorded fewer than 40.

On Mar. 20, 29 forest fires were recorded, while cases rose to 49 the next day. As many as 84 cases occurred on Mar. 24, 40 cases on Mar. 25, and 83 on Mar. 26.

March 22 and 23 recorded the most cases with 240 and 122 respectively.  

On those days, the temperature was between 22 and 34 degrees in highland areas, 23 to 35 degrees in plain areas, and 23 to 34 degrees in coastal areas.

Weather details were provided by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.

Environment Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya said these fires were caused by natural factors. Some previous cases were caused by people but the ministry could not find them.

The fires were counted through monitoring satellite and fact-checking with the actual number in plain areas and protected natural areas.

People who cause fires through carelessness can be jailed for up to a year, while those starting fires deliberately face five-to-ten years in prison.

Cambodia, like other parts of the world, is being harmed by the increase of PM2.5 particulate matter concentration, which can cause respiratory diseases. The particulate matter concentration is caused by burning forest and tree trunks, waste, plastic waste and fossil fuel combustion.

The spokesperson urged stakeholders, especially the public, to continue practicing the measures issued by the government on how to prevent and reduce public air pollution, particularly by ceasing such burning.

Chhum Chantha contributed to the story. 

This story was updated with a comment from Environment Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya.