BINTULU: Firefighters are battling a forest fire in the Similajau Forest, with operations continuing into the early hours of Wednesday (March 25) before being temporarily halted due to water shortages.
The current dry spell caused the fire.
The State Fire and Rescue Department said in its daily update that its Kidurong station received a distress call on Tuesday (March 24) at about 7pm.
"Upon arrival, the operation commander found that the fire had engulfed three acres of forest. Firefighters immediately initiated extinguishing works using two 400-foot hose lines drawing water from machinery and water tankers," it said.
As of 12.20am, the blaze had spread to an estimated 4.05 hectares, with about 3.40 hectares, or 80%, successfully contained.
Efforts were focused on putting out the remaining 1.10 hectares still burning.
However, the operation was temporarily suspended at 2.16am after water supplies at the scene were depleted, including those in the fire rescue tender and water tanker.
Firefighting efforts resumed at 8am today with additional assistance from the Bintulu fire station.
A total of seven firefighters were involved in the operation, utilising one compact fire rescue tender and one water tanker.
