The fire, which spread over about five rai, is now partially under control, with authorities maintaining 24-hour surveillance to prevent further outbreaks.
According to officials, the fire broke out at about 8:20pm, quickly spreading across 500 metres of hillside land at the tourist-popular cape.
Due to the terrain, fire trucks and large machinery could not access the area, forcing responders to fight the blaze on foot using fire batons and by creating firebreaks to contain the flames.
Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri has directed the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) to coordinate with the Phuket Forest Fire Control Station and the Third Naval Area Command to manage the situation.
Initial assessments confirm that no tourists or residents were stranded in the affected area.
As of 7am today (Feb 21), officials reported that high humidity in the area has helped slow the fire’s spread. Winds have also worked against the flames, preventing further expansion.
Firefighting teams are actively working to reinforce firebreaks, spray water, and use air blowers to control the situation.
Officials have determined that an evacuation of tourists is not currently necessary, as the fire remains at a safe distance from nearby hotels. However, hotel staff and management have been instructed to remain on alert, with an evacuation plan ready should conditions change.
Vice Governor Ronnarong is on site and continues to oversee operations closely, alongside DDPM Phuket Chief Sopon Thongsai and other key local officials.
Emergency response teams have been ordered to remain on standby and monitor the situation around the clock.
A wildfire in the same area sparked the same concerns about tourists’ safety in 2020, when a fire took days to douse at the Hin Dum Cape. That fire scorched about 80 rai of dry grass on the same hillside. (See stories here and here.)