A raging wildfire engulfed a mountain in central Thailand on Wednesday evening (March 29).

Fierce flames razed forests in the Khao Chaphlu and Khao Laem areas of Nakhon Nayok province.

The blaze was reportedly sparked by lightning during a summer storm, with strong winds spreading and intensifying the flames.

Ten firefighting trucks were at the scene. Officers put up fire breaks to keep the blaze from breaching residential areas.

Nakhon Nayok governor Bancha Chewarin said authorities were monitoring the situation using drones and urged frightened locals to stay patient as it was too risky for firefighters to tackle the forest fire at night.

A Russian-made KA-32 helicopter was deployed today to extinguish the flames, which were still raging last night.