Bushfires result in thick smoke, haze enveloping Miri city skyline
MIRI: Bushfires which raged through 260 acres of forest in several areas here had resulted in thick smoke and haze enveloping the city skyline, especially in the northern parts of the division like Kuala Baram, Senadin, Tudan, Permyjaya and Subis.
The state Fire and Rescue (Bomba) Zone 6 senior superintendent II, Ahmad Nizam Sapaiee yesterday disclosed that most of the fires in Miri started due to humans who deliberately carried out open burning activities for cultivation.
“The biggest hot spot (237 acres) is Subis particularly in Padang, Kelulit. In Miri around 88 acres were affected with the most serious one at an old dumping ground in Kuala Baram and near Curtin,” he said when briefing Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin on the latest fire situation in Miri.
Ahmad Nizam said that besides Miri Bomba team, firefighters from neighbouring Brunei were also struggling to extinguish fires in the border areas of both countries.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment (NREB) Miri controller Joseph Uyo said that two investigation papers have been opened and one compound issued by them for the fire at Canada Hill.
Lee when reminding and warning the public not to conduct open burning activities during this period, urged them to report to Bomba, Department of Environment (DOE), NREB and the police if they come across people conducting open burning activities.
“Because of their irresponsible behaviour, residents in Miri have to face haze and health risks,” he said.
“Obviously, we cannot allow the matter to continue as it seemed that advices and warnings fail to deter these people. Then this time we should not tolerate the culprits,” he said.
Also present was district officer Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf.