Malaysia: Wildfires and smog pose a danger in Sarawak

stephen then The Star 26 Mar 19;

MIRI: Choking smog are enveloping residential estates in many parts of Miri and Kuala Baram districts during the night and pre-dawn hours.

This smog comes from wildfires that rage at night in several hotspots.

The air pollution is making it hard for residents who have to breathe in the foul air.

Firefighters from the Miri and Lopeng Bomba stations are working non-stop to fight the fires, but some are burning so close to housing estates, they pose a real physical danger.

"Our houses do not have air-conditioning, so when our windows are open, the smoke enters our homes.

"We can feel the heat from the fires burning just next to our housing estate," said teacher Emily Susan from Desa Senadin.

On Monday, a raging wildfire 20km north of Miri city threatened to engulf a row of houses.

The fires burned right to the edges of the houses at the Desa Senadin 7 housing estate, but firefighters were deployed quickly to stop the flames from reaching the houses, said Miri Fire Chief Supt Law Poh Kiong.

Parts of Sarawak are facing wildfires as the hot and dry season sets in.