SRI AMAN – Firefighters have extinguished about 40 hectares of an estimated 80-hectare forest fire along Jalan Kejatau, Lingga, as firefighting operations entered their fourth day on 13 August.
The operation began after the fire was reported on 10 August, with the Sri Aman Fire and Rescue Station coordinating efforts to contain the blaze and establish fire breaks in the affected area.
Eighteen personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department were deployed for the operation, supported by three Toyota Hilux vehicles, one Hicom truck and a BMX 9352 water tanker.
The operation was led by PBK I Chimiam anak Duyu, the station’s Operations Officer. Senior officers present included PgB Muhammad Rais Adham bin Rosalan from Zone 3 Sarawak and PPgB Shaibullah bin Sabeli, along with PBK I Chimiam anak Duyu.
Several other agencies and workers also assisted with the operation. The support team included five personnel from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), five from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), and three farm workers.
Firefighters left the station at 7.30am and reached the incident location at about 7.45am. Following a briefing and division of duties, suppression work began at 8am.
The firefighting operation was divided into four groups, with three groups made up of fire and rescue personnel operating pumps and hose lines from available open-water sources. The fourth group consisted of three farm workers using pumps and farm excavation equipment.
The first firefighting team worked in one sector to establish a fire break, using a GP 10/10 pump and a 400-foot hose line fitted with two nozzles. A second group operated a forest fire pump and deployed a 300-foot hose line with two nozzles in another fire-break sector.
A third group used another GP 10/10 pump and a 400-foot hose line with two nozzles to tackle a separate section. Meanwhile, farm workers used available equipment to support suppression and fire-break activities.
Operations paused for lunch at 1pm before resuming at 2pm. At about 3.30pm, firefighters also briefed the Sri Aman Resident, Deputy Resident, District Officer, District Police Chief and representatives from several other agencies on the firefighting operation.
The operation was eventually suspended at 7pm and scheduled to resume the following day. Firefighters returned to the Sri Aman station at about 8pm after completing the day’s activities.
The incident has presented several operational challenges, including limited mobile network coverage at the fire location. Firefighters also reported limited access to open water sources, with drainage channels among the available sources used during the operation.
The affected area is estimated at approximately 80 hectares, with around half of the area reported to have been extinguished by the end of the fourth day’s operation.
Firefighting efforts will continue as crews work to deal with the remaining affected area and strengthen fire breaks to reduce the risk of further spread.
The continued involvement of multiple agencies and local workers has supported the firefighting effort, particularly in an area where access to water and communications remains challenging.
As the operation enters another day, firefighters are expected to continue suppression work and monitor the affected forest area for remaining fire activity.
