Students from Maejo University, Greenpeace volunteers, other volunteer groups and local people, join the Chiang Dao firebreak maintenance activity held by Nikom Putta, Head of Upper Ping River Watershed Conservation Program. The total of 200 volunteers came from various parts of Thailand, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Firebreak maintenance is one solution to prevent the fire and protect the forest. Chiang Dao forest supplies Ping river, the primary water source for Thailand.

Haze pollution becomes an annual problem in northern Thailand and affects numerous provinces. Forest fire is one of the main contributors. The biggest factor by far is open burning on corn farms, which have steadily expanded in industrial demand for animal feed. Smog season usually starts from February to April every year.