Firefighters battling to contain 2.4ha inferno
The Environment Department said Mukah is recording the worst air quality reading in Malaysia.
Most other parts of Sarawak are reporting moderate API levels in the 70s.
The poor air quality in Mukah is being blamed on a major wildfire burning deep within forested areas and agricultural estates.
The blaze, which began four days ago, is still raging.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said firefighters from the Mukah station are at the scene working to contain the flames.
'Our fire teams are still on the ground to stop the flames from spreading.
'They are doing their best, but the area still burning measures at least 2.4ha – roughly the size of six football fields,' said the department.
The fires have cloaked Mukah in thick grey smoke, with ash and haze drifting across the region.
The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board had already declared a statewide red alert for haze and wildfires over a week ago.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak mulls cloud seeding as dry spell triggers fires, water issues
Uggah (right) addresses the media at the press conference while Buckland looks on. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 31): The Sarawak government is considering cloud seeding among several measures to mitigate the prolonged dry and hot weather, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah, who also chairs the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), said the committee had been briefed by relevant agencies on the state's weather conditions and disaster preparedness. 'We are looking at all possible options to reduce the impact. Cloud seeding is not a simple process – it requires the presence of cloud moisture. 'Without that, we are just releasing salt into dry air, and that will not produce rain,' he told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today. Asked whether cloud seeding could begin if the hot spell continues another week, Uggah said timing alone was not the key factor. 'It's not just about how hot or how long the dry spell lasts – there must be clouds to seed. On days like today, if there are no clouds, then cloud seeding simply cannot happen,' he added. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) Sarawak, and the Social Welfare Department. Uggah said several agencies had shared updates on the state's preparedness, especially in handling fire incidents and water supply issues triggered by the dry spell. 'Right now, Sarawak is experiencing hot and dry conditions. The consequences include fires and water shortages,' he said. He noted that several areas had recently experienced fires, including Kuala Baram, Mukah, Marudi and Kota Samarahan. 'Fortunately, the fire in Mukah, which affected 56 hectares of land, was followed by heavy rainfall this morning. 'We hope that it helped in extinguishing it,' he said, adding most of the fires occurred in peat areas, which are highly flammable when dry. To enhance early detection, NREB has been instructed to deploy drones for fire surveillance. 'We have also told the committee in Kuala Baram to maintain the tube wells and water towers built for fire prevention purposes,' he added. The government, he said, has also enforced a total ban on open burning, including in plantation areas. 'NREB had previously issued permits, but those were revoked two weeks ago. Now, all open burning is prohibited,' he stressed. He urged members of the public and landowners to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire or hotspots immediately to the NREB or the respective resident offices. As of today, Sarawak has recorded 220 hotspots, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) only registering Mukah at an unhealthy level of 160. Other parts of the state remain within healthy levels. Also present at the press conference was Deputy State Secretary Datu Buckland Bangik. coud seeding Douglas Uggah dry spell
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's water catchment levels stable despite dry weather, says Deputy Premier
Uggah speaks at the press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 31): Water catchment levels across Sarawak remain stable for now despite the hot and dry weather conditions affecting the state, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the Sarawak government had received weather and fire risk briefings from various agencies, including the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Fire and Rescue Department, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and Welfare Department. 'At the moment, the water catchment levels are still okay. JBALB informed us that the situation is currently stable, but we have instructed them to closely monitor and report any developments to the government. 'They have set up a dedicated committee to oversee all water sources. One area of concern is the Gelugus Water Treatment Plant in Lawas, Limbang Division, which is currently recording very low levels,' Uggah told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting here today. He revealed there have been 675 requests for drinking water supply across Sarawak involving 15,000 families, with the highest number in Miri. 'In the past, the state government had supplied 12 tankers to address such needs. Those tankers are now distributed across all divisions and are on standby,' he said. As of this noon today, 220 hotspots have been detected throughout Sarawak. However, Uggah said the situation remains under control, with only Mukah recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) level of 160. He said all Divisional Disaster Management Committees have been instructed to convene meetings and prepare response teams. 'We have directed all Resident's offices to be ready and to establish standby teams to deal with any emergencies,' he said. Uggah pointed out NREB revoked all open burning permits for plantations two weeks ago and has since prohibited all forms of open burning. Related story: Uggah: 220 hotspots detected across Sarawak, fire mitigation and water supply efforts mobilised Douglas Uggah Embas lead water catchment
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Mukah in Sarawak records Malaysia's only unhealthy air reading as API hits 160
KUCHING, July 31 — Air quality in Mukah has continued to deteriorate with an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 160 as of 8am today. According to the Department of Environment's (DoE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (Apims) data, Mukah has recorded an API of 160 since 3am. At 12 noon yesterday, the API reading in Mukah was moderate at 98. Since then, the API for the area has moved steadily upward. All other areas under DOE's Apims in Sarawak maintained a moderate air quality level. The Borneo Post reported yesterday that Mukah was the only district in Malaysia to record an unhealthy air quality of 107 as of 6pm. Sibu recorded the second highest API in Sarawak at 90, followed by Miri and Kapit at 73, and Kuching at 71. Other stations in the state reported readings ranging from 58 to 69. An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. API readings of 51 to 100 show moderate air quality. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds for Kuching; Samarahan; Betong; Sarikei; Kanowit and Selangau in Sibu; Tanjung Manis and Daro in Mukah; Song, Kapit, and Bukit Mabong; as well as Tatau, Bintulu until noon today. The department said in a Facebook post that a warning is issued when there are indications of a thunderstorm with a rainfall intensity exceeding 20 mm/hour that is imminent or expected to occur for more than one hour. A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning valid for a period not exceeding six hours for a single issue. Yesterday, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in a 5.22pm update reported scattered clusters of hotspots in western Kalimantan, along with a few to isolated hotspots in Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. — The Borneo Post
