By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 14: A forest fire broke out at the Niah National Park on Monday (July 13).
In a statement, Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Jamri Masran said the incident was triggered by a lightning strike, causing trees on the limestone hill summit to catch fire, with the affected area estimated at one acre.
“Assistance has been requested from the Bomba Air Unit based in Miri to help extinguish the blaze using aerial water bombing operations,” he said.
Firefighters can only monitor the situation for residents’ safety, as extinguishing work cannot be carried out due to difficult access and the rocky and steep terrain.
Discussions with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) also resulted in the park’s temporary closure.
In a report from Bomba, a call was received at 1.55pm, and firefighters from the Batu Niah station responded. Upon arrival, firefighters identified two separate fire spots: the hillside near Traders Cave and Kuala Hangus, which forms part of Gua Besar.
The report noted that the fire poses no immediate threat to nearby communities.
In an updated report, at 10.30am, approval was received from the Air Unit to carry out aerial water bombing operations, and by 2.30pm, a Bomba helicopter arrived at the SMK Subis field to prepare for aerial firefighting.
At 2.40pm, aerial water-bombing operations began, with water collected from the Niah River.
As of 4.20pm, the helicopter returned to the SMK Subis field after completing the day’s operations. The operations commander reported that firefighting efforts had not been completed and would resume the following day (July 15).
The total area affected is estimated to be four acres, with two acres remaining to be extinguished. — DayakDaily
