Haze returns to Miri

KUCHING, 17 Aug 2019: 

After a respite, the haze has worsened again in Sri Aman and Miri in Sarawak.

According to Department of Environment data, the Air Pollutants Index (API) reading for Sri Aman at 10 am was 241 (very unhealthy air quality) while for Miri it was 220 (same as Sri Aman).

The readings were 76 and 67 respectively (moderate air quality) at midnight. An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above is deemed hazardous.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department received 17 more reports on bush fires in the state as at 8am today, bringing the total to 494 cases from Aug 1.

In a statement, the department said in total 1,391.73 acres were affected, as well as two houses – one each in Kampung Sangki, Simunjan and Kampung Sedi in Pulau Bruit.

“On average, the department responds to 30 cases of bush fires every day and for today, Kuching recorded the highest number at eight cases followed by Miri (four ) and Betong (three),” said the statement.

Meanwhile, a total of 198,000 litres of water was used to fight a forest fire in Kuala Baram yesterday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak director First Admiral Robert Teh Geok Chuan said two flights, using the Bombardier CL415 aircraft, were carried out by the agency – with the first at 9am and the second at 2pm.

The water bombing method proved effective in controlling the spread of the fire, whereby at 4pm yesterday, the Air Pollutants Index (API) reading at the Miri Industrial Training Institute dropped to moderate, at 87, he said.

Teh said MMEA would conduct two more flights for water bombing today.

– Bernama