By DayakDaily Team
DARO, Aug 18: Firefighters from Daro Fire and Rescue Department (BBP Daro) have extinguished 28 hectares of a 29-hectare forest fire at Kampung Kut here, leaving 1 hectare still affected after nine days of operations.
The blaze, which started on Aug 10 along Jalan Tg Gelang, continued to challenge firefighters today due to hot, dry weather, strong winds and limited water sources.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Dept (Bomba), the operation was divided into two sectors, with 11 firefighters from Bomba Daro deployed using one Compact Fire Rescue Tender (CFRT) and one Hilux.
Six firefighters were assigned to Sector 1 behind the Buraq Oil petrol station, using a forest pump and 12 lengths of hose to draw water from a nearby drain.
Sector 2, behind the Celcom telecommunications tower, involved firefighters, Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel and members of the Pulau Bruit Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team (PBS).
The team used forest and portable pumps, drawing water from a dam check dug 15 to 20 feet deep. A total flooding technique was also used to prevent the fire from spreading.
The statement said the distance between water sources and the fire site, narrow access roads and heat from the ground also hampered firefighting efforts.
The operation was suspended at 6pm today and will resume tomorrow. — DayakDaily
