KPL
Sangthong District has been severely affected by widespread forest fires inside the Phou Phanang National Protected Area, with more than 1,400 hectares of forest land destroyed as of April 14, 2026.
(KPL) Sangthong District has been severely affected by widespread forest fires inside the Phou Phanang National Protected Area, with more than 1,400 hectares of forest land destroyed as of April 14, 2026.
Phoxay Sayasone, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and Vice President of the National Disaster Management Committee, led a delegation to the district to assess the situation and coordinate emergency response efforts.
Officials said the visit aimed to support local authorities and mobilize resources to address what has become one of the most serious forest fire incidents of the dry season.
Authorities reported that the fires have caused extensive environmental damage across the protected area, a key ecological zone for Vientiane.
During the visit, the minister met with district officials to receive detailed assessments of the damage and discuss response strategies. Immediate priorities include containing the fires and preventing further spread, while long-term plans will focus on forest recovery and fire prevention measures.
Officials emphasized that urgent action is underway to reduce the impact on biodiversity and restore the affected forest areas.
KPL
