MIRI: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department in Miri has intensified aerial water-bombing operations to contain a raging forest fire in Kuala Baram district.
The fire has also worsened the haze, recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) level at 113 on Sunday (Aug 19) morning. A reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 moderate and 101-200 unhealthy.
Miri Fire chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said the Bomba air unit will be dropping more water to control the flames from spreading.
"Yesterday, we carried out 70 rounds of aerial water-bombings.
"This morning, we did more rounds," he said.
Fire-fighters are also on the ground battling the flames on peat soils.
The wildfire in Kuala Baram is one of dozens that are burning throughout the state.
Authorities are also worried about the haze and smog coming from west Kalimantan.
There are already more than 120 huge fires raging in the area.
Those fires measuring one sq km in size are called hotspots as they can be detected by satellites even 100km above earth.
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