Havoc in Kuala Baram as strong winds and dry weather fuel forest, peat soil fires

MIRI: Forest and peat soil fires are currently raging in Kuala Baram with no sign of abating, spreading from an initial 150 hectares on Aug 3 to over 600 hectares as of yesterday.

Strong winds and dry weather over the past week have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze, particularly on two lots – Lot 4041 and Lot 4042.

Firefighting teams including volunteers from Naim Group of Companies have struggled to contain the inferno from spreading further, leading to fears of haze especially at residential areas in the northern part of the city.

Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Miri chief Law Poh Kiong in a statement yesterday said the forest and peat soil fires have thus far affected 614 hectares of land.

“The areas that are still having thick smoke are at Lot 3709 (Hamidah Yakup Welfare Complex) and at Lot 3709. Meanwhile, the peat soil fire is getting bigger at Lot 4041 and Lot 4042,” he said.

Law pointed out that Bomba personnel are focusing on controlling and putting out the fire near Hamidah Yakup Welfare Complex as well as near the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Permyjaya.

The volunteers, he disclosed, will be fighting fires at the end of Lot 3709 near the entrance to the welfare complex.

“This needs to be done to bring down the haze at residential areas in Taman Desa Indah and Taman Desa Murni in Permyjaya,” added Law.

He also said that a firebreak, which was done at Lot 4041 and Lot 4041 on Tuesday night, was unable to prevent the flames from spreading to other areas due to strong wind later the same night.

Meanwhile, the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at ILP Miri at 5pm yesterday was 77, while Miri recorded 68.

“The API readings are low because the winds were blowing the smoke away from the sensors. The reality is, the smoke is still very thick and is heading towards Sungai Baram,” Law said.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good while 51 to 100 is moderate; 101 to 200 unhealthy; 201 to 300 very unhealthy; and 301 and above deemed hazardous.

Yesterday was the fifth day Bomba and volunteers have been fighting forest and peat soil fires in Kuala Baram.

The weather forecast showed that the city would not be experiencing rain over the next three days, although rain is predicted this coming Sunday in a few places in the city.