MIRI: A forest fire that scorched a hillslope near Niah Caves in Niah National Park has been fully extinguished after the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) carried out 20 rounds of aerial water bombing today (July 15).
A total of 26,000 litres of water was dropped over the 1.62-hectare affected area, successfully extinguishing the blaze and eliminating all active hotspots.
The department said the aerial firefighting operations began at 9:45 am and concluded at noon after all remaining hotspots were successfully doused.
The operations lasted three hours and 36 minutes, involving a BOMBA Air Unit MI-171 (M994-04) helicopter and a crew of 11 personnel.
Eight firefighters from the Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station also supported the operation on the ground.
The fire, which broke out on Monday, is believed to have been caused by trees struck by lightning that later caught fire at two locations, namely Bukit Traders Cave hillslope and Kuala Hangus in Gua Besar.
