SRI AMAN: Sri Aman Fire and Rescue Station personnel are facing a water shortage problem in their peat fire dousing operation which is into its third day today.
Sri Aman Zone 3 chief Nik Mohd Afiq Nik Roslan said the main constraint was the dwindling water supply due to very hot and dry weather.
“We have received information from the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) that the reservoir water level has receded to a critical level.
“Water from fire hydrants too have decreased. Moreover, the low pressure has made the operation more difficult,” he said in Kampung STC, here, today.
“As part of our action plan to fight the fire in Kampung STC, our men are arresting the advance of the fire with fire breaks with the use two excavators.
“The excavators will plough the land to create a boundary (ditch) and check the spread of the forest fire.
“The same fire-fighting action plan is implemented in Jalan Kejatau-Sri Aman with the deployment of three excavators and six firemen,” he said.
Nik Arif added that the massive forest fire had spread to areas which were difficult to access as there were no roads.
Since yesterday the Sri Aman Fire Station has been assisted by 15 firefighters and an officer from the Kuching Fire Station.
The fire has affected a 25ha site in Kampung STC and is raging through a 42ha area in Jalan Kejatau-Sri Aman. - Bernama