KUCHING — Authorities in Sarawak have confirmed that several recent fire incidents in Kuala Baram, Mukah, Marudi, and Kota Samarahan are now under control, though precautions remain in place as the state grapples with haze and dry conditions.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said all District Disaster Management Committees have been instructed to establish standby response teams to swiftly handle any flare-ups.
“In the past few days, there have been several fires, but they’ve all been brought under control. In Mukah, the heavy rainfall this morning is expected to completely extinguish the fire,” he said following a high-level SDMC meeting on Thursday.
He also highlighted the deployment of drones to detect fire outbreaks early, especially in peatland areas known for their flammability.
Urging vigilance, he warned landowners and companies against open burning and advised the public to report any signs of hotspots to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).
So far, 220 hotspots have been detected across the state. While Air Pollution Index (API) readings remain generally controlled, Mukah continues to record higher values.
Meanwhile, 675 applications for drinking water supply assistance have been received, affecting over 15,000 families, with Miri registering the most cases.
Regarding cloud seeding, Uggah said it remains a possible intervention, but is heavily dependent on weather conditions.
“In Mukah, we’ve even deployed a firefighting helicopter due to the remote terrain and lack of accessible water sources,” he added.
