Firemen and villagers work together to put out a bush fire at Kampung Bahagia Jaya in Sibu.
SIBU: Four of the total 32 fire stations in the state have began round-the-clock shifts in view of the rising cases of bush, forest and peat soil fires, triggered by the hot and dry weather.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak assistant operations director Tiong Ling Hii said the implementation of the 24-hour shift was due to the worsening situation.
“Between Aug 1 and today (yesterday), a total of 276 cases of bush, forest and peat soil fires have been recorded, including 35 cases as of 5pm today (yesterday). On average, Bomba Sarawak responds to 25 cases of bush fires daily. The highest number of cases in a day since Aug 1 was 58 cases on Aug 10,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted.
In view of the current situation, Tiong said only 20 per cent of Bomba personnel are allowed to take annual leave.
Meanwhile, the Central Fire Station here responded to bush fires at Lorong 1 F1 Permai Jaya, No 1F1 Permai Jaya, Pasar Teku and (near) Star Mega Mall Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman yesterday.
As for Sungai Merah Fire Station, its personnel responded to affected areas in Kampung Bahagia Selatan, Jalan Kemuyang, Jalan Wawasan and Lorong Ikan Belanak, Kampung Bahagia Jaya.
On Saturday, a total of 25 firemen assisted by 15 villagers managed to contain a fire that ravaged about 89 acres of forest land near Kampung Sedi in Pulau Bruit, by constructing a firebreak to stop it from spreading to the village.