In Sabah, firemen are facing challenges battling jungle fires due to rough terrains and the absence of proper roads for fire engines in many areas. Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Razak Muda highlighted that access roads are a major obstacle, especially during the drought season.
Razak mentioned that sometimes fire trucks and engines are unable to reach the fire site, forcing firefighters to travel on foot with heavy equipment for several kilometers to reach the fire. This is where equipment such as portable pumps, motorised sling pumps, fire beaters, and high-performance pump modules play a crucial role in extinguishing fires.
Receiving assistance from the Chief Minister, Razak expressed gratitude for the support provided to the State Fire and Rescue Department. He noted that manpower is adequate, with assistance from the Civil Defence Department, volunteer firemen, and other supporting agencies.
The department has manpower on duty round the clock and has frozen all leaves temporarily. Razak also mentioned they have not utilized community firemen as they are civilians. Water sources are still manageable and accessible at the moment.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor being briefed on the current forest and bush fires situation by Sabah Fire and Rescue Director Abdul Razak Muda (left).
Currently, areas still dealing with fires include the Kayu Madang dump site in Tuaran and peat fires in the Beaufort district. Efforts are underway to control the fires, with assistance from the City Hall in extinguishing tyre flames in Kayu Madang.
Razak mentioned plans to use High-Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE) and check dams to manage the spread of peat fires in the Beaufort district. Structural fires have also been reported due to open fires during the dry spell.
The Fire Department is collaborating with the Meteorological Department to consider factors like wind conditions, daily temperature, and rain forecast in their fire extinguishing efforts. Chief Minister Hajiji Noor allocated funds for the department to purchase additional equipment to combat forest and bush fires.
As of March 26, 1,392 cases of forest and bush fires have been reported, affecting 3,600 hectares throughout Sabah. About 3.46 hectares at the Kayu Madang landfill have not yet been completely contained. The State Government has pledged support to the department in containing the fires.
The Department of Environment Air Pollutant Index management unit recorded moderate air quality levels in Kota Kinabalu (78 API) and Kimanis (79 API).
