20160221 Brunei Forest fires return to Belait after brief lull
Brunei Feb 21 2016 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Forest fires return to Belait after brief lull
Updated: 2016-02-21
Firefighters working hard to put out peat fires.
AFTER a brief lull, forest fires have returned to Belait District.
On the 19th day of its operation against peatland blazes in the district, the Fire and Rescue Department Branch ‘B’ Belait identified new fire hotspots yesterday, including in the vicinity of the Seria-Lumut Bypass, Sungai Bera Light Industrial Area, Badas pipeline area at KM19 along the bypass as well as near Lorong Tiga Selatan at KM 16.
Strong winds are affecting the department’s efforts, reigniting some of the doused fires.
Muhammad Ali, Acting Station Commander of Seria Fire Station, told the Sunday Bulletin the latest fire has spread to an estimated 13 hectares of land just in Badas area due to the strong winds coming from the north-east direction, causing thick smoke.
“Motorists are advised to drive carefully as the situation has reduced visibility considerably,” he said.
The fire at the Sungai Bera Light Industrial Area which started in the morning has been completely doused and the focus has now shifted to fires at some other locations, he added.
Thirty-five personnel from the Seria and Sungai Liang Fire Stations have been deployed to control the situation.
According to Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department, the wind speed is estimated reach up to 50km/ph and the windy situation is expected to last until February 22.
Web Source: Borneo Bulletin
http://borneobulletin.com.bn/forest-fires-return-to-belait-after-brief-lull/