Wet areas turning dry and combustible

Stephen Then, The Star 25 Mar 10;

MIRI: The underground water table has sunk to new depths in more regions in northern Sarawak, turning once wet and swampy areas into dry and highly combustible ones.

The authorities have noticed these changes following the quick spread of wildfires in interior districts of Lawas and Limbang and the Sarawak-Brunei border over the past week.

Most of these areas were once very wet and forested but now many of these are on fire as the El Nino weather phenomenon takes its toll on more areas in the state.

It was reported that as much as 2,500ha of forests in the Limbang division had been razed by fires.

Limbang Division Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Hilmi Abu Hussein said yesterday the wildfires started a week ago.

“We have deployed our men to as many of the fire sites as possible to contain the fires,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister and State Disaster Relief Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr George Chan said wildfires were becoming a problem in the north.

“Miri is now okay, the Fire and Rescue Department has contained the wildfires.

“The problem in Limbang is that it is too hot and too dry.

“I have ordered cloud-seeding to be carried out to help douse the flames but was told there was not enough clouds over Limbang,” he added.

State Natural Resources and Environment Board Miri regional enforcement chief Michael Tinggan said his men had detected four hotspots in Lawas on Tuesday.

“The fires are being fanned by strong winds,” he said.