Peatland fire in Kuala Tatau-Serupai partially under control

BINTULU (March 27): The peatland fire in Kuala Tatau-Serupai, Tatau near here, which has entered its fifth day, is partially controlled, with approximately 100 hectares (ha) extinguished as of today.

Tatau Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief, senior operations commander, senior fire officer Sim Mui Chai said today’s operation focused on extinguishing peatland fires and ‘mopping’ work to prevent the fire from spreading.

He said the operation began at 8.50 am, and aerial monitoring by the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) estimated the fire involved an area of approximately 300 ha.

“The extinguishing was carried out using two transport pumps and the ‘fire break’ method. Two excavators were also used for the construction of a five-kilometre fire break.

“As of 4.52 pm today, approximately two acres (0.81 ha) have been successfully extinguished,” he said in a statement today.

According to him, the operation was called off at 6.18 pm due to strong winds before being postponed at 7.05 pm and will resume tomorrow, with the remaining fire estimated to involve approximately 200 ha.

So far, no casualties have been reported. A total of 11 firefighters from the Tatau BBP were involved in the firefighting operation with one Light Fire Rescue Tender (LFRT) vehicle, a Triton vehicle, and a Land Rover, assisted by the Miri Fire Department’s Air Unit and related agencies.

In a separate fire incident in Sibu, a peatland fire covering approximately 16 ha occurred on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman this morning.

The fire department received a call at 8 am and arrived at the location 24 minutes later.

Operation commander Andy Alie said the extinguishing was carried out using two pumps with water sourced from the Sungai Merah.

“About one hectare was successfully extinguished on the first day before operations were postponed at 5 on and will resume tomorrow,” he added.

A total of 10 firefighters from Sibu Central Fire Station were involved with an FRT vehicle and a Hilux four-wheel drive, assisted by several other agencies, including the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), military, police, volunteer firefighters, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Public Works Department (JKR), RELA, and an excavator. – Bernama