KUCHING: Intense firefighting resulted in moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at all stations in Sarawak yesterday.
The drastic improvement of the air quality was recorded at ILP Miri and Sri Aman, which previously recorded hazardous and very unhealthy readings earlier this week.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), as of 4pm yesterday, ILP Miri recorded 87 points and Sri Aman (59) as
compared to the readings at 9am which recorded 92 and 63 respectively.
Other stations throughout the state remained at moderate level with readings below 100.
The readings were 60 in Miri, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Baram (63), Kuching (76), Samarahan (72), Sarikei (67), Sibu (61), Samalaju (62), Bintulu (61), Mukah (54), Kapit (53) and Limbang (52)
The API is categorised as ‘good’ from 0 to 50, ‘moderate’ (51 to 100), ‘unhealthy’ (101 to 200), ‘very unhealthy’ (201 to 300), and ‘hazardous’ (301 and above).
No hotspots were detected in the state.
On the visibility, Kuching and Mulu recorded 10km; Limbang, Sibu, Bintulu and Kapit 15km; Sri Aman 18km and Miri 30km. Normal visibility distance is 10km and above.
Meanwhile, a total of 491 cases of forest, bush and peat fires were reported throughout the state between Aug 1 and 6pm yesterday.
According to the state Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the total area affected by the fire was 1,370 acres.
The department recorded 14 new cases of forest fires in Kuching (7), Samarahan (1), Betong (2) and Miri (4). Ongoing operations are carried out in eight locations to douse the fire.
