PHITSANULOK: Local firefighters are combating a forest fire that broke out on Saturday, razing an area of about 500 rai in this central northern province.
The blaze erupted on the Khao Krayang mountainside near Highway 12 in Wang Thong district.
Firefighters from the Kaeng Sopha tambon administration organisation (TAO) and members of the Burapa rescue units sprayed water from fire engines to prevent the flames from spreading to houses of local residents along the highway linking Phitsanulok and Lom Sak of Phetchabun province.
Additional fire engines were called from the nearby Wang Nok Aen TAO to help contain the fire.
On Sunday morning, the highway was covered by thick smoke, hindering visibility for motorists.
With help from local residents, a fire buffer was hastily built on Sunday morning to prevent the fire spreading while firefighters continued to extinguish the flames.
The cause of the fire was being investigated.