MIRI: Over 160 separate wildfires throughout Sarawak have destroyed some 190ha of land over the past two week.

Latest statistics obtained from the Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee yesterday showed that wildfires are breaking out daily in all divisions.

On Aug 15, three wildfires were reported in Miri, said Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong.

He said federal and state environmental enforcement authorities are tightening measures to curb wildfires to reduce the haze which is enveloping many parts of Sarawak and the nation.

“The Environment Department (DoE) in Putrajaya is tightening enforcement

“It has issued a notice that stricter measures will be put in place on air pollution nationwide,” said Supt Law.

He noted that latest satellite images obtained by Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department showed more than 100 hotspots in Kalimantan.

The wind direction is sweeping the smog across the border into Sarawak.

Firemen are also battling several big wildfires in Daro district, Mukah division, in central Sarawak.

The latest air pollutant index (API) readings showed that air quality had breached over 100 in Mukah, Sibu and Bintulu over the past two days.

Air quality was at its worst in Mukah, reaching 138 as at 3pm yesterday, A reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 moderate and 101-200 unhealthy.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin was reported to have said that resources would be shifted to DoE to combat the haze.

The ministry was also seeking help from local councils as well as other agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department and the Health Ministry to investigate cases of open burning.

Malaysia is currently facing sweltering temperatures, rising to as high as 37°C in Kapit.

Yeo said the ministry was serious about eradicating open burning, which also contributed to pollution in the country.

However, she said the probability of haze recurring this year would “not be very high” due to the lower number of hotspots.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/08/17/wildfires-worsen-haze-over-160-blazes-have-broken-out-in-sarawak-over-past-two-weeks/#VY3rEd11vc2jwxZI.99