BUSHFIRES IN DARO, TATAU AND SIBU UNDER CONTROL

KUCHING, March 29 (Bernama) -- Firefighting operations at three bush fire sites in central Sarawak are showing positive progress, following coordinated efforts by air and ground teams, said the state Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

The Sarawak JBPM Operations Control Centre said in a statement that a Mi-171 helicopter with 12 crew was deployed from the Regional Air Base in Miri at 9.30 am today to tackle a bushfire in Kampung Penasuh, Daro, Mukah.

“The air unit conducted water-bombing operations for about an hour and a half, releasing roughly 40,000 litres of water drawn from the Sungai Hulu Seredang.

“The operation focused on the fire perimeter to prevent it from spreading. Aerial monitoring and risk assessment found the blaze had been brought under control, aided by firebreaks surrounding the affected area,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, the operations centre said a peat fire in Kuala Tatau Serupai, Tatau, Bintulu, now in its seventh day, is under control.

According to the statement, firefighting operations used a GP 10/10 pump unit with a 200-foot hose and two water jets targeting the affected forest area.

“The ground team was fully equipped for firefighting, and joint monitoring with plantation management confirmed the fire in the area is under control.

“The fire site, located about four kilometres from the fire control post, is protected by large drainage firebreaks to stop the blaze from spreading. Aerial monitoring also confirmed the fire is dying down and under control,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, third-day firefighting efforts on the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman bushfire in Sibu focus on firebreaks and direct suppression in three main sectors.

However, the fire, estimated to involve 16.4 hectares, was fully extinguished by 4 pm after heavy rain.

-- BERNAMA