KUCHING: The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak has identified five hotspot areas at high risk of open burning due to the dry weather currently affecting the state.
Its Director, Jamri Masran, said the five areas were identified through satellite data monitoring and analysis of previous fire records in collaboration with the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
“The areas involved include Kampung Selarat in Lundu; Kampung Lachau Jinggau in Sri Aman; Rumah Pilai and Lusong Laku in Bintulu and Long Tuyut in Marudi.
“These areas have been identified as high-risk locations that could contribute to open burning incidents, which will in turn worsen the haze situation,” he said when contacted.
He said this when commenting on the department’s preparedness in facing the dry season and the risk of open burning in the state.
Jamri further said Bomba Sarawak had deployed logistical assets such as portable water pumps, water tank engines and specialised firefighting equipment to the identified high-risk areas.
“Firefighters have also been continuously trained in the latest firefighting techniques, particularly for challenging areas such as peatland.
“We have also strategically organised operations involving Volunteer Firefighters and Community Firefighting Teams in rural areas to speed up response times to fire locations,” he said.
On a related note, he advised the public not to carry out any form of open burning, especially landowners and those with agricultural land.
“Open burning not only increases the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings but can also trigger large-scale fires if left uncontrolled.
“It is also an offence under the law, and action can be taken against offenders,” he said.
Jamri also urged the community to remain vigilant and to report any early signs of fire to the fire department immediately to prevent the fire from spreading and becoming difficult to control.
