Avoid open burning as dry spell fuels bushfires, Lutong Bomba warns

MIRI (March 24): The Lutong Fire and Rescue (Bomba) station has urged the public to refrain from open burning activities as hot and dry weather conditions continue to heighten the risk of fires.

Lutong Bomba chief Henry Jugah called on community leaders, particularly village heads, to play a proactive role in advising residents against such activities for the time being.

“With the weather becoming increasingly hot, we humbly request all community leaders to inform residents under their respective areas to avoid open burning,” he said in a brief message on Monday.

He revealed that the station has responded to multiple bush and grass fire incidents in recent days, attributing the worrying trend to prolonged dry conditions.

Among the cases recorded were a grass fire at Tudan Desaras on Monday at about 3.31pm, and a bush fire near the fishermen’s market at Batu Satu, Kuala Baram, earlier the same day at around 1.24pm.

Henry added that personnel have been carrying out continuous monitoring efforts, both day and night, to keep the situation under control.

He also appealed to village heads to assist by conducting local monitoring and promptly reporting any fire incidents to the authorities.

He stressed that preventing open burning is crucial to avoiding uncontrolled fires that could endanger lives, property and the environment, especially during the current dry spell.