The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Thursday banned slash-and -burn farming in the eight northern provinces worst hit by fine dust pollution.
Department director-general, Monthon Sudprasert, said the ban remains effective until April.
The ban applies to Chiang Mai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Lamphun, Lampang Mae Hong Son.
He said it was deemed necessary after the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) (GISTDA) found a total of 789 locations in these provinces where ultra-fine dust has remained static because of a lack of breezes to clear the air.
He said the department has measures in place to deal with wildfires in these areas.