Doi Chang Pa Pae: extending the IoT sprinkler firebreak by another 200 metres
Paka Ko Yo youth in Lamphun Province combine the local wisdom of “Wa Me To” with an app-controlled watering system and IP cameras on the mountain peak, across more than 21,300 rai of forest.
Translated from Thai · reviewed by the CF team
The “Doi Chang Seedlings” youth group brings modern technology together with the Paka Ko Yo way of life known as “Wa Me To”, or the local wisdom of creating firebreaks around rotational farming plots. Villagers have established a 30-kilometre forest fire prevention zone around the community and installed 500 steel water storage tanks with a combined capacity of nearly 600,000 litres.
The IoT sprinkler firebreak system has been extended by another 200 metres from its original 2 kilometres. It makes it possible to activate watering through an application immediately in areas too steep for people to reach. IP cameras at Hua Chang and Kon Chang are online 24 hours a day, helping to pinpoint fires accurately.
A village forest fire volunteer group of 15 people has been established, and 30 young people and volunteers have received practical training in building and using the system.