Thick smoke billowing across a land lot in Kuala Baram as a result of the ongoing fires.
MIRI: Forest and peat soil fires in Kuala Baram are showing no signs of abating today, instead growing more intense, especially on two land lots namely Lot 4041 and Lot 4042.
The firefighting teams including volunteers from Naim Group of Companies were struggling to contain the inferno from spreading to more lands which could lead to haze, especially to residences in the northern part of the city.
Zone 6 Fire and Rescue Station (Bomba) chief Supt Law Poh Kiong in a statement today said the forest and peat soil fires had thus far affected 614ha of lands.
“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 growing more intense at Lot 4041 and Lot 4042,” said Law.
He pointed out that his men are focusing on controlling and putting out the fire near Hamidah Yakup Welfare Complex and near Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Permyjaya.
Volunteers will be concentrating their efforts at the end of Lot 3709 near the entrance to the Hamidah Yakup Welfare Complex.
Firefighters struggling to contain and put out the fires across Kuala Baram.
“This is needed to be done to bring down haze at residential areas in Taman Desa Indah and Taman Desa Murni in Permyjaya,” added Law.
Meanwhile, he said that the firebreak – an obstacle made to contain the spread of the fire – which was done at Lot 4041 and Lot 4041 last night, has not worked, as the fire has continued to spread to other lands due to the strong wind last night.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at ILP Miri at 4pm today was at 77, while Miri recorded 68.
“The API reading are low because the winds were pushing 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 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above deemed hazardous.
Today (Aug 7) is the fifth day that Bomba firefighters and volunteers continue battling the forest and peat soil fires affecting Kuala Baram.