WAKING up with a whiff of smoke at home in the morning is bad but not the worst. Driving to work with a hazy view is bad, but also not the worst. Reading the news or social media updates on high Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the comfort of air-conditioned offices is troubling, but again, not the worst.
Spare a thought for the Fire and Rescue Department personnel who are battling fires in the thick of the heatwave. Think about those from the state Water Department and Civil Defence Department who are helping to deliver water to the many villages where taps have run dry.
There are also those tasked with ensuring schoolchildren stay indoors or even at home, if necessary, when the situation gets really bad. Even villagers in rural areas have formed volunteer groups to monitor and put out fires near their homes which could easily spark big flames with a change of the wind.
Blame the prolonged drought, but not the selfless efforts by those from various government departments and agencies out there on the ground battling to put out open fires or help ease the plight of those stricken by the hot spell.
Insensitive comments have surfaced in the social media with keyboard bullies pointing fingers. But, that has not dampened the spirits of those fighting the real battles. With API readings close to 300 in several districts in the west coast and south earlier this week, firemen and volunteers were out in full force.
Even in Penampang and Putatan, where the number of emergency calls made were the highest over the last few days, fire engines blaring their sirens could be seen or heard criss-crossing in many directions.
It even prompted Penampang and Putatan fire station chief Senior Assistant Superintendent Mohammad Akramin Sakirun to appeal to the public to take seriously the advice on preventive measures issued by the department.
“Don’t flick cigarette butts into bushes because that has been identified as one of the main causes of bush and forest fires along with open burning activities in the district.
“There are many negative impacts of the haze caused by open fires. Our health could be jeopardised as well as our surroundings, livestock and even plants.”
Akramin said the public should take responsibility to help prevent open fires, especially with the El Nino phenomenon triggering the prolonged drought and heatwave since February.
“On our part, we will not lose sight of our task to fight fires and ensure the safety of the people.”
Most of the staff under the Fire and Rescue department are now on full alert and have put in extra hours in the work shifts because of the drought.
Despite all this, the department has been on the receiving end of brick bats hurled by bullies on social media.
A retired fire fighter said dousing water on open fires may not be the best of solutions most of them time.
“Sometimes they would need to let certain areas burn first so that it becomes a fire-gap with homes or villages, for instance. Peat fires are the hardest because of the embers beneath the surface that could spark fires when a strong wind blows over it.
“These are just two examples of things fire fighters have to deal with in this kind of situation.”
For a brief moment yesterday, it rained in some parts of the interior and a friend who happened to be in Nabawan described it as heavenly.
“It was a strong downpour for about half an hour around 7am,” said the auto-parts dealer who deliver supplies for heavy machineries.
For the first time in weeks the Tenom Fire Station had a brief reprieve yesterday. An officer on duty said it rained from Monday evening about 8.30pm until the morning.
“It has been quite a while since we had a good rest. Since last month most of the days we were out there fighting fires up on hilly terrains and a few plantations.
“Today, we put in some time to properly clean the hoses, the engines, our equipment and even our suits. Hopefully, more rain will come in other districts because the others deserve some rest too.”
NST’s Sabah bureau chief Roy Goh finds solace from the hills, the wild and drama movies. Inspiration comes from long drives on the road, off-road and the fairways