By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, June 27: A forest fire that has been burning since Tuesday (June 24) has destroyed approximately 60 hectares of land, including cleared oil palm plantations and nearby forest areas located about five kilometres from Batu 9, Jalan Oya.
In a TVS news report, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sibu Zone 4 chief Andy Alie said the affected area is expected to grow due to the ongoing hot and dry weather.
“The fire involves cleared plantation land and adjacent forest. So far, around 60 hectares have been burned,” he said today.
A team from the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has been conducting aerial surveillance using drones and cameras to record the coordinates of the affected areas for further assessment and investigation.
Andy said monitoring efforts will continue in coordination with relevant agencies to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Earlier, the Fire Operations Team (PKO) from the Fire and Rescue Sungai Merah Station received an emergency call at 1.56pm yesterday and rushed to the scene near Kampung Seduan.
However, firefighting operations could not be carried out due to the lack of access to the fire site, which is located about two kilometres from the main road.
“We had to seek assistance from the NREB Drone Unit to identify coordinates, alternative routes, and the nearest water sources,” Andy said.
The monitoring operation concluded at 2.39pm, with the team returning to the station without taking firefighting action.
He also advised plantation owners and members of the public not to carry out open burning and to report any fire incidents immediately to the authorities. — DayakDaily
