Haze blankets Miri once again as three new hotspots detected

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Thick smoke blanketing city centre. Photo taken around 7.30am today

MIRI: The city is blanketed by haze once again as three new hotspots were detected by Naim volunteers and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) personnel yesterday.

The city centre and Miri Bypass road appear to be the worst affected by the smoke from the fire at a land lot belonging to Pantai Bayu.

Miri Fire and Rescue station chief Law Poh Kiong in a statement last night, cautioned that the city would be experiencing thick haze today due to the three hotspots detected at the end of Miri Airport runaway (between Tukau and Sungai Rait), Pantai Bayu land lot located near Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club, and at Lot 3709 in Kuala Baram.

“We estimate more than 100 acres of land has been destroyed in the Tukau – Sg Rait area, while 80 acres of the land lot belonging to Pantai Bayu near Eastwood (has been destroyed),” said Law.

Land lot 3709 in Kuala Baram was previously burnt in a forest fire last month.

Law added that the fires were originated from open burning by irresponsible individuals.

Meanwhile, Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at Miri and Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP Miri) recorded a moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) of 68 and 60 respectively as of 8am today.