Forest fires in Tutong and Belait

Several areas in Belait and Tutong Districts are currently affected by the forest and bush fires which occurred due to the hot and dry weather condition. The fire also cause slight haze at the affected areas.

In a visit recently (21 April 2014, Monday) at the forest fires at Seria Bypass, Belait District saw firefighters are still on the fire site. The affected areas are divided into two sector where the first sector are at the lane heading to Seria where the fire had occurred for nearly a week while at the second sector is at the lane heading to Lumut is the new site which ignites recently. The fire saw the deployment of firefighters and fire engines from Seria Fire Station. They also face challenge as the area are inaccessible for fire engines as well as the absence of open water source at a sector. The fire engines had to take turn shuttling water with the aid of the trailer pump which is used to pump water to the fire site and fire engine.

This afternoon also saw the fire spread on the peat swamp forests at the roadside with the aid of windy and dry weather which cause a section of the Seria Bypass covered in smoke. The firefighters also had to use flooding technique to flood the peat swamp in order to extinguish the blaze. However the operation are suspended in the night time for the safety of the personnel. Traffic cones are also placed at the area to warn motorists on the operation zone.

Meanwhile at Tutong District a number of bush and forest fire occurred at rural Tutong. Around 12pm two bushfire occurred at Jalan Sekolah Rendah Penapar and near a turn in Penapar village which cause thick smoke rising and covering the village. A team of firefighters in a fire engine from Lamunin fire station later arrive after receiving emergency call from the villager. They managed to extinguish the fire in few minutes.

The Tutong fire station also fully deployed in since 1pm after they receive emergency call on forest and bushfires in Jalan Pengasing near Seri Kenangan Beach, Kampong Danau, and Kampong Bukit Udal. While at Lubok Pulau village a team of firefighters and a fire engine led by Deputy Station Officer (DSO) Said had to monitor closely a forest fire which reignite due to the dry weather condition to prevent it from reaching the nearby houses, farms and mosque.

Due to the current hot and dry weather the Fire Rescue Department (FRD) saw the number of rising forest and bush fire cases. The public are also advised to avoid open burning as well as drive cautiously at the affected area due to the movement of firefighters and fire engines.