WILDFIRES are being reported across Sarawak due to extreme heat and deliberate open burning as temperatures rise during the current heatwave sweeping the state.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department announced today that there has been an up to 80% increase in wildfire cases over the past few days. The major districts of Kuching, Miri, and Sibu recorded the most cases, according to the department's latest updates.
Yesterday (27 July), there were 21 cases of wildfires caused by intense heat, dryness, and deliberate open burning activities. Firefighters battled fires across approximately 60 hectares (roughly the size of 150 football fields) in various districts, according to statistics from different fire stations.
The department stated its firefighters are on high alert to respond to wildfires.
The heatwave is spreading across Sarawak, with extreme dry and hot weather reported in Sri Aman Division in southern Sarawak and Bintulu Division in northern Sarawak. This prompted the Malaysian Meteorological Department to issue a Level 1 (red alert) warning for these two areas starting yesterday morning.
The department reported that Sri Aman and Bintulu have recorded temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius continuously for the past three days. "Due to this, a Level 1 heatwave warning has been issued to the public in Sri Aman and Bintulu to take all precautions," the department said.
State health authorities have warned people to avoid outdoor activities and to stay hydrated.
In other divisions in Sarawak, such as Miri and Sibu, temperatures of around 34 degrees Celsius are being recorded.
Only last month, floods affected various places in Sarawak's interior districts following heavy rain. The current heatwave has also been reported in numerous places in Peninsular Malaysia. – July 28, 2024.
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