MMEA deploys CL-415 water scooper to help put out Miri peat fire
The Malaysian aerial firefighters have been working with local civil and private organizations to contain the fire in northern Sarawak
The Miri Disaster Management Committee requested aid from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to carry out water bombing to put out a peat fire in Kuala Baram.
Committee Chair and Miri resident Jamalie Busri said this was necessary as some of the affected areas were hard to reach on foot or using ground-based fire engines.
The MMEA deployed its Bombardier CL-415 aircraft to support the Fire and Rescue Department to carry out a water-bombing operation to extinguish peat fires in the Sungai Adong area.
Miri Maritime Zone Director Captain Mohd Shafie Paing said that the operation was activated as soon as the aircraft arrived, describing how on one day, “a total of 30,000L of water was used to suppress the fire. Approximately 60.70ha are affected, with 60% being successfully extinguished.”
The operation also involved various departments and agencies, including private companies in the Miri district, which joined in to help control and extinguish the blaze.
“The fire is spreading quickly, making it very difficult to contain,” Busri said.
The smoke and haze have affected hundreds of residents in Kuala Baram, Senadin, Tudan and Permyjaya.
Recently, the MMEA announced it was acquiring four AW189s to help with search and rescue operations.
Jon Adams
Jon is the Editor of AirMed&Rescue. He was previously Editor for Clinical Medicine and Future Healthcare Journal at the Royal College of Physicians before coming to AirMed&Rescue in November 2022. His favorite helicopter is the Army Air Corps Lynx that he saw his father fly while growing up on Army bases.