Firemen struggling to contain fires in Kuala Baram and Miri

MIRI: The forest fires raging in Kuala Baram and Miri districts are difficult to put out, despite attempts at aerial water-bombing.

This is due to the size of the fires, the density of the forests and very strong winds.

Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said firemen are fighting the flames manually.

“The Bomba units are using ‘direct attack’ to head off the fires at the fire-points by using water jets.

“The strong winds have caused the flames to jump over the fire-breakers.

“The water table in the fire sites are low and this makes it more difficult to stop the flames spreading, ” he said in his latest Miri Bomba update.

The biggest fire is at a plantation site in Kuala Baram, where fires are covering more than 60ha in one location. Fires are also occurring at the beachfront and at the Miri GoKart Stadium.

Smog and haze have enveloped the two districts since three days ago.