Raging forest fires in Kuala Baram doused

The forest fires in Kuala Baram district in northern Sarawak have been doused, with API readings back at healthy levels.

MIRI: Finally, after 26 days the forest fires in Kuala Baram district in northern Sarawak have been doused.

Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said the latest checks by the department personnel showed that there were no more fires burning.

“The air pollutant index (API) has also improved and is at a healthy level today.

“At one point, the API went up to over 500.

“The hard work put in to contain the problem by all the agencies involved have paid off.

“We were aided by the rain, too, over the past two nights.

“There is no more smoke or fires on the ground today, ” he said here.

The API stations in Kuala Baram registered 62 and 52 respectively, he said.

The latest episode of forest fires in Kuala Baram district started on Aug 1 and had raged non-stop until now.

Some 1,500ha of forests and plantations were burned down.