KUCHING: Firefighters across the state are locked in a gruelling battle against four open fires that continue to rage across plantations, forests, and landfill sites — some for over a week.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the longest-running blaze is at a pineapple plantation in Marudi, where flames have devoured an estimated 76.72 hectares since it was first detected on July 26.
Yesterday (Aug 3) marks the ninth day of the operation whereby, a team of four firefighters along with a Toyota Hilux vehicle was deployed to the site at 9 am to continue containment efforts.
In Kota Samarahan, an intense fire at the former Kampung Plaie landfill has now entered its eighth day, affecting about 2.8 hectares of land.
Eight firefighters are working around the clock using a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and Hilux to douse the flames – which was first detected on Jul 27.
Meanwhile in Sarikei, firefighters are also on high alert as a fire at the Selalang landfill — first detected on Jul 30 — burns on into its fifth day. Four firefighters from Sarikei station were mobilised to carry on with suppression efforts.
Over in Sibu, a forest fire at Ladang Titasa Sdn Bhd in Seduan Land has torched about two hectares since Aug 2, with half of the area already scorched. Seven firefighters from Sungai Merah station, supported by an FRT and Hilux, are on the ground battling the blaze.
In Betong, patch fires that had affected 0.2 hectares of land at the Debak landfill since Aug 1 have been fully extinguished, thanks to heavy rain on Saturday.
Firefighters, who returned to the site for monitoring yesterday, confirmed the flames had been put out and officially concluded the operation at 12 pm.
With the dry spell showing little sign of easing, Bomba remains on high alert as they race to contain the fires before they spread further.
