Bomba personnel and Naim’s volunteers getting their equipment ready before carrying out firefighting at Kuala Baram earlier today.
MIRI: An aerial water bombing was carried out at around 10am today as forest and peat soil fire rages in the northern part of the city, Kuala Baram.
Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Law Poh Kiong said the forest and peat soil fire which entered its fourth day today had thus far destroyed a total of 331.4 acres of land.
“Today, we detected three large spots namely near Hamidah Yakub Welfare Complex (Lot 3709), Lot 4041 and at Lot 4042 (in Kuala Baram).
“Therefore, we will be using water bombing using our helicopter to douse and stop the fire from spreading,” said Law in a press statement today.
Nearby residential areas were experiencing thick smoke due to the raging fire.
The forest and peat soil fire was first detected on Aug 1 at Lot 4041 in Kuala Baram.
“The fire is spreading very fast towards the northern part with the help of the wind and hot weather and is now moving towards Shin Yang plantations in Kuala Baram,” he said.
A total of 19 Bomba personnel, including the department’s air unit crews and 11 volunteers from Naim Group of Companies were involved in the fire fighting.
Meanwhile, the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at ILP Miri increased from 85 recorded at 8am today to 87 at 10am.
API index reading at Miri also increased from 72 (8am) to 73 (10am).
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above deemed hazardous.