VIENTIANE, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has introduced stricter measures to prevent forest fires and reduce PM2.5 levels to protect public health and livelihoods across the country.
The air quality index in Laos has reached unhealthy levels, with PM2.5 concentrations in the Lao capital Vientiane hitting 106 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the safety threshold of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, according to a report from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on Monday.
The ministry issued a notice on Jan. 15 to prepare for wildfires expected between January and April. Uncontrolled burning, such as clearing rice fields or burning grass for livestock, remains the main cause. These practices have contributed to severe air pollution, with rising PM2.5 levels posing significant risks to public health and livelihoods.
The notice calls for tighter controls on burning, faster fire detection, and stronger coordination between central and local authorities. It urges relevant agencies to expand the use of fire hotspot monitoring systems, respond more quickly, provide regular reports on fire impacts, and develop fire-risk maps. ■