JUST a fortnight ago, Malaysia — including parts of Sarawak — was shrouded in an unexpected spell of unhealthy haze.
As always, many of our citizens were quick to point fingers across the border.
However, what puzzled many was how towns far removed from the border, especially along Sarawak’s central coast, were among the most severely affected.
This prompts the question: Why is this still happening?
We must revisit what we have learned from past events — 1998, 2019, and now again in 2025.
The answer often lies within, particularly in areas vulnerable to bushfires and peat soil fires.
Sarawak, with its unique geographical diversity, cultural practices, and agricultural methods, presents a complex landscape for fire prevention.
Several challenges continue to hinder effective action, and addressing them requires more than just traditional firefighting methods.
What is urgently needed is an all-encompassing strategy — one that embraces prevention, education, community engagement, strategic planning, enforcement, and citizen responsibility.
When we analyse fire incident data across Sarawak, a concerning pattern emerges: negligence and ignorance remain the primary culprits.
There is a dangerous and false confidence among many individuals and even organisations that fire disasters are something that only happen to others — until tragedy strikes close to home.
Creating a fire-resilient Sarawak begins with the community.
We must instil public awareness that fire prevention is not merely the domain of fire departments or government authorities. It is a shared responsibility — from the kampung to the city, from school classrooms to corporate boardrooms.
The reality on the ground is that fire prevention in Sarawak faces serious and common problems that are deeply rooted in both structural and cultural conditions.
Public awareness about fire safety remains insufficient, which leads to dangerous habits and an underestimation of risk.
Traditional building materials, especially timber used in longhouses and rural structures, are highly combustible and accelerate the spread of fire.
Many of these buildings also lack fire-resistant infrastructure, making it extremely difficult to contain fires once they begin.
Sarawak’s vast geographical diversity means that some areas, particularly deep in the interior, are difficult to access.
This not only delays firefighting response but also gives fires time to escalate before any intervention can begin.
Rural areas often suffer from limited access to firefighting resources, including a lack of trained personnel, suitable equipment and fire stations.
Another contributing factor is the use of traditional land-clearing methods such as controlled burning for agriculture.
While these practices are part of indigenous customs, they can sometimes lead to wildfires when conditions are dry and winds are strong.
Careless human behaviour — such as outdoor burning, improperly discarded cigarette butts, and unattended cooking — often sparks fires that spread quickly.
Compounding these risks is the lack of early detection systems in remote areas, which further delays effective response.
Balancing fire prevention with the need to preserve cultural practices and heritage buildings, like longhouses, requires sensitive approaches that consider the community’s values and way of life.
Climate change has further complicated fire prevention efforts.
Changes in weather patterns, especially prolonged dry seasons and rising temperatures, have increased the likelihood of wildfires across the state.
Enforcing fire safety regulations in rural areas presents its own set of challenges, as authorities must work with limited resources and rely heavily on the cooperation of residents.
In some indigenous communities, language barriers hinder effective communication about fire safety measures and emergency response strategies.
Overcoming these challenges calls for a multidisciplinary approach involving cooperation between government agencies, local communities, indigenous groups, NGOs and other stakeholders.
We need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern firefighting methods, increase public education efforts, improve infrastructure and implement proactive planning strategies.
Understanding fire behaviour and its impact in Sarawak is crucial in this effort.
With our extensive forest cover and complex ecosystems, Sarawak faces a unique set of fire management issues.
Factors such as forest and peatland composition, biodiversity, humidity levels and wind patterns all influence fire spread and intensity.
Monitoring seasonal and climate trends helps us to anticipate risk and prepare for potential outbreaks more effectively.
Fires in Sarawak do not only affect the environment. Their consequences are also social and economic.
Livelihoods are disrupted, properties are damaged and lives are endangered.
Despite the best of intentions, fire prevention strategies are not always effectively implemented, largely due to resource constraints, difficult terrain and the evolving challenges brought about by climate change.
Present-day strategies rely on regulatory measures, community engagement, and education, but these must evolve in line with the threats we now face.
We need better coordination, improved access to resources and adaptable management plans that can respond to emerging risks.
As such, understanding fire behaviour and its impacts in Sarawak is essential for developing robust fire prevention strategies that protect our natural heritage and reduce environmental, social, and economic risks.
We must address existing limitations through enhanced enforcement, inclusive education and by fostering strong community participation.
Only by building a culture of preparedness can we truly create resilience.
If we are to preserve Sarawak’s rich biodiversity, cultural identity, and the safety of our people, we must act together — decisively and responsibly — before the next haze returns to remind us of what we failed to prevent.
