SUZIANAH JIFFAR New Straits Times 31 Mar 19;
KOTA KINABALU: The state fire and rescue department recorded 1,671 open burning cases in Sabah since early this year.
Its director Kamarulzaman Malik Abdullah said 190 cases were recorded in January, followed by 537 cases in February and 994 cases this month.
“We advise the people to reduce their outdoor activity, especially open burning at farms or orchards that can lead to major fire,” he said.
Kamarulzaman noted that Tuaran district recorded the highest open burning cases (261), followed by Kota Kinabalu (156); Keningau (155); Kota Belud (139) and Penampang (122).
He said Tuaran district also recorded the highest number of open burning cases in the first three months, with 39 cases in January, 89 cases in February, and 140 cases this month.
Meanwhile, based on March statistics, the department recorded 459 bush fire, 295 forest fires, 44 garbage burning, and 32 small orchards burning, and eight farm burning.
Open burning poses safety and health threats
stephen then The Star 29 Mar 19;
MIRI: Open burning at night is a serious threat as it is causing choking smog in residential estates in many parts of Miri and Kuala Baram districts.
The smog comes from the wildfires that rage at night and pre-dawn hours in several hot spots.
The air pollution is affecting residents.
“People are complaining of breathing problems.
“Some are burning close to housing estates and are health and safety threats,” said Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong.
He said it was suspected that some unscrupulous people were setting fire to clear land at night.
Affected residents are angry too.
“We cannot breathe properly at night,” said teacher Emily Susan from Desa Senadin.
“I do not have air conditioners installed in my house and at night when we leave our windows open, the smoke gets in.
“We can feel the heat from the fire just next to our housing estate,” she said.
On Monday, a raging wildfire 20km north of Miri city almost engulfed a row of houses there.
The fire burned right to the edge of the houses at the Desa Senadin 7 housing estate but firefighters managed to stop the flames from reaching the houses, said Supt Law.
Wildfires are affecting parts of Sarawak due to the current hot and dry season.
Water-bombing used for park fire
The Star 1 Apr 19;
MIRI: Aerial water-bombing was carried out to fight a forest fire in the Similajau National Park near here.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s air wing made at least 18 sorties to the park to put out the fire yesterday.
Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said the fire was detected on Friday.
He said the aerial water-bombing was called in by firefighters on the ground to prevent the fire from spreading.
“So far, the forest fires have razed about 2ha of the park.
“Our aerial unit is dousing the fires now,” he said.
Similajau National Park is located at the Bintulu-Miri districts boundary.
Supt Law said the operation was proving to be effective in dousing and stopping the fires from spreading.
He said another round of aerial water-bombing would be conducted today if the fires flared up again.
