‘Action mode’ call on all agencies
Minister orders relevant authorities in Miri to gear up, following rising number of peat, forest fires in district
The landowners can work together with Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department) to put out fires on their land. They should take action as soon as they see fire, and not wait for the fire to spread. Because of the impending dry spell, we advised everyone not to carry out any open burning. — Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Transport
MIRI: Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin has instructed all relevant agencies to be in ‘action mode’ following the increasing number of peat and forest fires in the district.
“We have detected these fires in Permyjaya and areas behind Eastwood. I spoke to (Deputy Premier) Dato Amar Douglas Uggah a few days ago and I’ve already directed all agencies under the Miri Disaster Management Committee (MDMC) to keep monitoring these areas day and night,” said the Senadin assemblyman.
He added that all landowners in the affected areas had also been instructed to look after their undeveloped land, especially areas prone to fire.
Lee said the agencies involved and landowners could monitor the affected areas by flying drones to identify hotspots so that immediate action could be taken to put out the fire.
“The landowners can work together with Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department) to put out fires in their land. They should take action as soon as they see fire, and not wait for the fire to spread.
“Because of the impending dry spell, we advised everyone not to carry out any open burning.
“We want to prevent haze from recurring. Such act has always created problems for residents in the affected areas.”
Meanwhile, Lee urged landowners at affected areas to start activating their fire breakers and flood their land to prevent fire.
On Thursday, Uggah had instructed all divisional and district disaster management committees (DDMCs) in Sarawak to be on full alert in view of the current hot and dry weather situation, especially in the northern part of the state.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the current weather situation had resulted in some areas, namely settlements, experiencing water supply problems.
“In this regard, all the DDMCs are required to be fully aware and to treat the situation seriously.
“They are instructed to assess the severity of the problem in their respective divisions and to render immediately the necessary assistance, like in providing water supply to affected settlements,” he said in a statement.
Uggah also reminded all relevant agencies, especially the Bomba, Civil Defence Force, Rural Water Supply Department and the Public Works Department to work closely with their respective DDMCs when addressing problems related to the hot and dry weather.
“In addition, the public are advised to take the necessary precautions. Do not hesitate to visit the nearest clinic for treatment if they encounter any medical problems due to the situation,” said Uggah.
MIRI: Eight residents were left homeless after a fire destroyed their homes at Jalan Lutong, near Pujut 9 here on Friday evening.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) control centre, a distress call was received at 6.25pm on the fire, which involved three houses, one warehouse and a boathouse.
“It was reported the three houses were 100 per cent destroyed, while the warehouse which was used to store oil was damaged about 30 per cent, while the boathouse was about 70 per cent destroyed.
“All residents of the three houses were able to escape unscathed,” it said.
After ensuring the site was safe, the operations concluded at 8.07pm, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.