56-year-old volunteer had been reported missing from his group the night beforePark rangers and volunteers join an operation to battle wildfires and build firebreaks in the northern province of Chiang Mai. (Photo: Chiang Mai traffic radio Facebook page)CHIANG MAI - A local volunteer battling wildfires in this northern province was found dead on a mountain in Mae Rim district on Wednesday after going missing from his group the night before. The volunteer, later identified as Boonma Phadaeng, aged 56, was believed to have died from exhaustion aggravated by extreme heat and an underlying condition of high blood pressure, according to the Chiang Mai Public Relations Office. Widespread wildfires in the province have been singled out as the main contributor to air pollution, placing Chiang Mai among the world’s most polluted cities for several consecutive days, according to IQAir. Some of the most affected areas in six districts — Hot, Samoeng, Chiang Dao, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Mae Wang — have been declared disaster zones.

Source: Bangkok Post April 01, 2026 14:53 UTC