Sri Aman forest fire spreads to 100ha, feared to worsen Sarawak haze

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 - A forest fire in Sri Aman has expanded to around 100 hectares, prompting apprehension that it could exacerbate haze issues in Sarawak due to transboundary smoke, according to a Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson. The blaze, ignited near noon yesterday, has engulfed roughly 100 hectares of forest on Jalan Kejatau-Lingga, Sri Aman, as reported by Harian Metro.

The incident was reported to the department at 1.19pm, prompting an immediate response from the Sri Aman Fire and Rescue Station. At 1.35pm, the operations team commenced firefighting activities with seven personnel on board, utilizing an open water source from a ditch, water supplies from Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) tanker lorries, and a tanker from the Betong Fire and Rescue Station.

Firefighters also deployed an excavator from the Sri Aman Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) to aid in containing the fire. As operations concluded at 7.50pm, approximately 20 hectares of the affected area had been doused, leaving 80 hectares unextinguished. Due to darkness, low visibility, and limited water sources at the site, operations are set to resume tomorrow.

The team faced challenges such as poor communication coverage, strong winds accelerating the fire spread, insufficient open water sources, and narrow roads hindering the movement of firefighting vehicles. Sri Aman has been among areas reporting unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, reaching 114 as of 9pm last night.