Developing Fire Risk Mappingand Management Systems:Integrating Disruptive Technologiesfor Impact Monitoring 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433Telephone: 202-473-1000Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of the World Bank Group with external contributors. The findings, interpretations, and con-clusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or thegovernments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does notassume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information or liability concerning the use of or failure touse the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other informationshown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any terri-tory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities ofthe World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages the dissemination of its knowledge, thiswork may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Please cite the work as follows: World Bank. 2025. Innovative Approaches to Forest Fire Management and Agricultural Transfor-mation in Northern Thailand – Developing Fire Risk Mapping and Management Systems: Integrating Disruptive Technologies forImpact Monitoring. Washington, DC: World Bank. All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World BankGroup, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; email: pubrights@worldbank.org. Cover photo: RO Kazui, Unsplash EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Effective wildfire management in Thailand requires a collaborative,integrated, and data-driven approach that recognizes the social,cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions of fire, as well asits legal and technological aspects. The complex interplay between conservationpolicies and local livelihoods underscores thenecessity of balancing environmental protectionwith community needs, especially given thatmost wildfires are anthropogenic in nature. Localcommunities not only bear the responsibility formanaging fire but also hold invaluable knowledgethat can enhance wildfire management strategies. KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: •Disconnect between policy, technolo-gy, and practice.The lack of coordinationbetween wildfire management policies, tech-nological advancements, and on-the-groundpractices results in inefficiencies. Challengessuch as insufficient budget allocations, poorcommunication, inadequate training, and alack of essential equipment further exacer-bate these issues. To address this, the reportrecommends integrating machine learningtools for fire detection and prediction, coupledwith community engagement to inform man-agement strategies. Additionally, the strategicallocation of resources based on fire risk andmanagement needs is critical to ensuring ef-fective response efforts. The effects of wildfire smoke are far-reaching,affecting air quality and public health well beyondThailand’s borders. Therefore, in addition to theneed for internal collaboration and standardiza-tion, Thailand must proactively engage with otherSoutheast Asian nations to address the pressingissue of transboundary smoke pollution, whichposes significant health risks across the region. Through an extensive literature review and in-depth consultations with stakeholders, this reportexamines wildfire risk in Thailand, the nation’scurrent approaches to wildfire management andrisk mapping, the challenges and opportunitiesin balancing fire regulation with local livelihoods,and the gaps in fire preparedness, detection, andresponse. It provides key recommendations fordeveloping a unified Fire Management InformationSystem, improving fire probability mapping, andcentralizing wildfire management processes whileintegrating local knowledge and priorities. •Engaging local communities in fire pre-vention.As the majority of wildfires are hu-man-caused, often linked to agricultural prac-tices and livelihood needs, any solution to firerisk reduction must include input and buy-infrom local communities. A national regulatoryframework for intentional burning should allowfor regional flexibility, empowering local com-munities to plan and execute controlled burnsin coordination with authorities. This approach should integrate both scientific knowledge andlocal expertise to ensure wildfire managementpractices are effective and culturally relevantand environmentally sound. insufficient fiel