SARAWAK JBPM CONTINUE FIGHTING BUSH FIRES IN TWO AREAS

BINTULU, March 30 (Bernama) -- The firefighting operation at the Kuala Tatau-Serupai bush fire in Tatau, near here, entered its eighth day, with the blaze reported to be under control.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Control Centre said in a statement that monitoring by the Tatau firefighters and plantation management found only small plumes of smoke, while some areas had been extinguished following rain last night.

The statement added that the operation, which began at about 11 am, involved three teams deployed to different locations to extinguish the fire and prevent its spread.

"The operation was called off at 5.30 pm,” it added.

Overall, the fire covered 300 hectares, of which 226 hectares have been put out.

A total of 13 Tatau station firefighters were involved in the operation, led by station chief Sim Mui Chai, and with assistance from five Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel.

Meanwhile, the operation to put out the bush fire in Kampung Penasu, Daro, Mukah, which entered its fourth day today, is still being actively carried out by Daro firefighters.

"The burning area has been divided into three sectors to facilitate firefighting and control operations,” it said, adding that the blaze involved about 75 hectares, of which 10 hectares have been extinguished.

A total of 16 personnel and two vehicles - a Light Fire Rescue Tender (LFRT) and a Hilux - are involved in the operation, led by Daro fire station chief Hasman Bakar.

The operation is also assisted by 15 Daro Jaya Estate 2 workers and 10 Kampung Penasu residents.

-- BERNAMA