KUCHING: The state Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is ready to deal with any bush or forest fires that may occur during the dry season.
Its director Khirudin Drahman told via social media that fire stations throughout the state are carrying out periodic patrols at hotspot areas and monitoring these areas.
“Apart from that, survey towers have been opened and road access to forest areas is being enhanced to enable fire engines to reach them.
“Hotspot areas in northern Sarawak such as Bintulu, Miri, Limbang, and Lawas need to be considered for patrols and air surveys by the responsible agencies.
“The department will also give advice to gardeners and farmers during this season as well as coordinating with key agencies such as the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB),” he said, adding that the dry season begins this month until May.
He said last year when the phases of movement control order (MCO) were implemented, cases and incidents of bush and small forest fires did not occur.
“From our study and analysis conducted last year, it was found that these forest fire cases are mainly ‘man-made’.
“For that, I call on and recommend the community to carry out a shared responsibility in preventing fires from occurring,” he said.
