School closes for early Easter weekend
MIRI: Pupils of SK Kuala Baram II, the school worst affected by the peat fires in Kuala Baram, began the Easter weekend a day earlier as the Education Department ordered it to close yesterday.
A source told The Borneo Post the instruction was given by the divisional education office on Wednesday after the fire edged closer to the school compound.
“The situation is normal today ( yesterday) but there are no classes as per the instruction given on Wednesday,” said the source.
A check on the school yesterday revealed clear skies and relatively smoke-free air.
A combination of waterbombing sorties and pumping of water into newly- dug trenches to the affected areas on Tuesday had helped efforts to contain the peat fire in Kuala Baram and Senadin.
Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) Miri chief Law Poh Kiong said although the situation is currently under control, there is still some way to go before the fires can be fully put out.
“A Bomba helicopter has carried out 38 water- bombing sorties and the (underground) fires are under control today (yesterday), although there is still thick smoke coming from the peat soil,” he said.
He added the focus of the operation remains the area near Curtin University Malaysia, using a combination of water bombing and on-the-ground initiatives.
Meanwhile, Law said firefighters are appreciative of the gesture by members of the public who delivered food and drinks to them during the operation.
“Several of them came to our operation area and brought foods and drinks. They gave us moral support and strength,” said Law.