By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 12: Firefighters are continuing efforts to contain two separate forest fires in Sri Aman and Daro, with more than 88 hectares of land affected and challenging conditions hampering operations.
The larger of the two incidents is located along Jalan Kejatau–Lingga in Sri Aman, where a forest fire that began on Aug 10 has spread across an estimated 80 hectares.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak, approximately 30 hectares have been successfully extinguished, while about 50 hectares remain affected.
On the third day of operations today, firefighters from Bomba Sri Aman resumed suppression efforts at 9am after arriving at the scene earlier in the morning. The operation was divided into two teams, with firefighters deploying portable pumps and hose lines from nearby open water sources to create firebreaks and prevent further spread of the blaze.
Bomba Sarawak deputy director PPjB Tiong Ling Hii, and Operations Division officer PgKB II Nik Mohd Afiq Nik Roslan visited the site to monitor the ongoing operation.
Fire suppression activities continued throughout the day before being temporarily suspended at 5.30pm on the instructions of Zone 3 authorities. Operations are scheduled to resume the following day.
Meanwhile, in Daro, firefighters are battling a separate forest fire at Kampung Kut that has affected an estimated 8.34 hectares.
A site assessment found that the blaze, believed to have originated from an agricultural plantation area, had spread towards Sungai Batang Lassa and in the direction of the Buraq petrol station.
Firefighters conducted aerial monitoring using a drone and measured the affected area using Google Earth. Efforts focused on establishing firebreaks to prevent the flames from reaching the nearby petrol station.
The operation involved the deployment of forest fire pumps and hose lines drawing water from roadside drains, while additional suppression work was carried out with the assistance of local volunteer firefighters.
As of today, firefighters had successfully extinguished approximately five hectares, leaving an estimated 3.34 hectares still affected.
Bomba Sarawak said both operations continue to face several challenges, including strong winds that are accelerating the spread of the fires, limited water sources, poor communication coverage in some areas, and narrow access roads that complicate firefighting efforts.
No casualties have been reported in either incident. — DayakDaily
