MIRI: More tube wells will be activated to help control and contain bushfires, says Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Currently, Miri has 11 active tube wells located in Tudan (three), Permyjaya (seven) and Senadin (one).
One tube well can discharge approximately 90,000 litres of water an hour.
Disclosing this during his visit to the Permyjaya bushfire watch tower here yesterday, the Tourism, Arts and Culture minister opined that the situation was much more manageable this time compared to previous years.
“I have requested that the Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG) together with Miri Resident Office and Department of Environment (DOE) do water pumping on a man-made lake near Curtin University to flood the area.”
He stressed that it was crucial for the area (referring to the Curtin University area in Senadin) to be flooded to prevent bushfires.
In previous years, the area has been plagued by haze.
Senadin is one of the areas prone to bushfires apart from Permyjaya, Tudan, Kuala Baram and Bakam in the northern region.
“We don’t want to see a repeat of such incidents and we must ensure that this situation is under control,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Miri Fire Zone 6 chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said Bomba Miri had received more than 10 bushfire reports involving more than 100 acres since last Saturday.
“These bushfires are mainly caused by irresponsible people, opening more areas for planting purposes.”
Aware that such incidents are a danger to residents, Lee urged enforcement agencies such as the police and RELA to do routine patrols to catch the culprits.
The Air Pollution Index (API) for Miri in the past 48 hours was moderate (API-59).
Those found responsible for bushfires will be slapped with a RM2,000 fine while for plantation operators, the fine can reach up to RM500,000.
Also present during the visit were Miri Resident Mastapa Julaihi, Miri DOE chief Julaiha Jumal and several representatives from JMG.
