Warning Against Open Burning

Kuala Belait - The Air quality in Kuala Belait for the first time this haze season hit the "unhealthy" level as the PSI exceeded 100 yesterday morning.

Compounding the detection of over 600 hotspots in Borneo was a massive forest fire in Belait Saturday afternoon, which was completely doused in the wee hours of yesterday morning. The fire scorched around 15 hectares of greenery.

The satellite imagery information received from the Mean specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) detected 625 hotpots in Sarawak and West Kalimantan, according to a press release from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, Ministry of Development.

Brunei Darussalam continues to experience hazy conditions. The prevailing south-westerly winds are transporting smoke plumes from the hot spots in Borneo to the Sultanate.

The overall air quality in Kuala Belait between 6 and 11am yesterday morning was unhealthy as the PSI exceeded 100.

But for the rest of the day, the air quality was moderate.

The highest recorded Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) for Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Temburong were 54, 64 and 58 respectively. The overall air quality for Brunei-Muara, Tutong, and Temburong until 5pm yesterday was moderate.

A PSI reading below 50 is good, 50 to 100 is moderate, and above 100 is unhealthy.

Fifteen firemen from Sungai Liang Fire Station led by ASO Md Rosdi Hj Abdul Halim, battled for eight hours to control a raging inferno that engulfed 15 hectares of forest Saturday night in the Belait District.

The fire started in Kg Agis and quickly spread through to the Semayan Forest Reserve due to the strong winds.

ASO Md Rosdi said although from the highway only the fiery glow of the fire could be seen, deep in the forest fire officials were struggling to contain the raging inferno which had spread through 15 hectares of land.

He said they received a call about the fire around 4.30pm, and three fire trucks and 15 personnel were dispatched to contain the fire deep inside the forest.

It was a dangerous situation, he said, as strong winds made the conditions challenging.

He explained that because they were deep in the forest reserve, their hoses could not reach the fire, therefore they had to use what they could to douse the flame, including stamping them with damp branches and bushes.

For water supply, they used the nearby fire hydrants and stored water in their trucks. They had to make many trips to the fire hydrants to have a constant supply of water to douse the flames.

He said that there were four houses that they had to protect from the fire and they did so by drenching the surrounding with water.

Around midnight the fire had spread to the main road in Sg Liang, the road connecting Kuala &Nit to the capital, and there was a real danger it might spread further.

However, thanks to the tenacity and dedication of the fire fighters, the blaze was doused just minutes before it reached the main road.

The fire was completely doused at approximately 3am Sunday.

The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation said it would continue to closely monitor the air quality and from time to time provide updated information and advice on the air quality through the local radio stations and television.

Young children, elderly and those with respiratory related illnesses, such as lung and heart diseases and those who suffer from asthma, are advised to stay indoors and refrain from outdoor physical activities during hazy conditions.

Despite reminders issued by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, open burning activities are still being carried out in many locations in the country, especially during evening hours.

The department has urged the public to refrain from conducting any open burning activities that will worsen the haze. It will continue to closely monitor the air quality and conduct surveillance on backyard and open burning activities.

The public can make complaints on open burning through hotlines 8999900/ 8837751/ 8837741. For queries on air quality, the public can contact 2383222 extensions 514 during office hours and also access and obtain the PSI readings online at www.env.gov.bn.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

With Love: Amirul010