KUCHING: More than 100 hectares of land have been ravaged by ongoing open fires at four separate locations across Sarawak, with firefighting efforts intensifying to contain the blazes.
As of yesterday (Jul 31), the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) reported that 103.25 hectares have been burned statewide.
The worst-hit area — a forest near UiTM Mukah — has been smouldering since Jul 25, destroying some 75.32 hectares despite a week-long battle by firefighters, assisted by local villagers and other government agencies.
In Marudi, a 21.43-hectare pineapple plantation has been reduced to charred earth, with Bomba teams stationed there to suppress the fire since Jul 26.
Elsewhere, a long-abandoned landfill in Kampung Plaie, Kota Samarahan, has caught fire over a 2.5-hectare area, while Kampung Danau Melikin in Serian saw four hectares of forest go up in flames on Jul 28.
All four fire zones remain active, with suppression efforts continuing under scorching heat, dry conditions, and challenging terrain.
To curb the spread near UiTM Mukah, Sarawak Bomba deployed a Mi-171 helicopter on Wednesday for a targeted water bombing mission over a 105-hectare forest zone.
The chopper dropped 6,360 litres of water in four sorties at around 3.30 pm — a move that helped slow the advancing fire line and protect nearby communities.
Meanwhile in a TVS report, Sarawak Bomba director Jamri Masran said firefighting operation is now focused on the area surrounding Mukah Airport following fears that the fire, which remains active, could threaten aviation safety.
“This decision was made following a meeting with the relevant agencies after it was found that the fire was getting closer to the airport vicinity,” he said.
Firefighters on the ground continue to battle the flames amid the ongoing hot and dry weather, with authorities urging the public to refrain from open burning and to report any signs of fire immediately.
