90 wildfire hotspots in Sarawak last month, Miri worst hit

AT least 90 wildfire “hotspots” measuring about 1 sq km each were detected in Sarawak last month.

The district hit the worst is Miri in northern Sarawak, according to latest statistics from the State Disaster Management Committee.

In a statement, committee chairman Datuk Amar Dougglas Uggah said Miri recorded 21 hotspots alone last month, followed by other districts like Kuching, Sibu, Kapit and others.

“We (the committee) have asked all the local councils and enforcement agencies to clamp down on open burning.

“Deploy drones to carry out aerial enforcement.

“All the local agencies must cooperate as these open burning are getting worse,” he said.

The Sarawak government must impose a total ban on open burning without delay, a government lawmaker had said.

The MP for Tanjung Manis in central Sarawak, Yusuf Abdul Wahab, had made the call earlier this week, saying that cases of wildfires are getting worse, including in his constituency. 

“There must be a total ban on all forms of open burning in Sarawak as the number of cases of wildfires are increasing all over.

“In Tanjung Manis, we are also affected by these open burning that are causing bushfires to spread,” he said during a ground visit in his area.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said firefighters are battling an increasing number of wildfires, especially in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.

On August 1, eight districts in Sarawak saw intense heatwaves after recording ground temperatures of between 35°C to 37°C continuously for the past three days, as the heatwave spread rapidly through this vast state.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has listed the districts of Miri, Telang Usan, Marudi (all three in northern Sarawak), Sibu, Kapit (both in central Sarawak), Lubok Antu, Sri Aman and Kuching (all three in southern Sarawak) as having a Level One warning.

A Level One alert means high daily temperatures of between 35°C to 37°C for three days non-stop, a situation which is dangerous to health.

All outdoor activities should be avoided.

The heatwave spreading across Sarawak was recorded starting on July 27.

The health authorities in the state have warned people to avoid outdoor activities during the intense heat and to keep themselves hydrated at all times. – August 4, 2024.