Kota Kinabalu: The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) will be conducting aerial water bombing to counter Sabah’s wildfires.
Its Director-General Datuk Ts Nor Hisham Mohamad said seven locations in Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud were burning on Saturday.
“The incidents were at the Pulau Gaya hills (3 acres), UUC Telipok forest areas (7 acres), Kg Simpangan (4 acres), Jalan Layar Impian (5 acres) and Jalan Dungang Tambalang (4 acres) in Tuaran.
“Kg Kimo Kimo (21 acres) and Kg Liang in Kota Belud (30 acres),” he told a press conference on Sunday.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year. Read more He said a Mi17 helicopter based in Miri, Sarawak, will be deployed.
In 2023, the Sabah FRD recorded a total of 8,195 emergency calls, which is an increase of 1.2 per cent or of 100 cases compared to 8,095 calls recorded in 2022.
While in Labuan, the number of emergency calls last year was 841, which is a decrease in 145 cases or 15 percent compared to 986 calls in the previous year.
Nor Hisham said the department is bracing for a surge in the number of open fires and peatland fires in Sabah due to El Nino.
“Sabah recorded a constant sweltering 38 degree celcius with no rainfall for the year’s first three months.
“Based on statistics from the previous three years, Sabah and Labuan respectively recorded an average of more than 820 and 116 cases per year of open fires involving forests, fields, bushes and garbage fires.
“As a preliminary step, the Sabah FRD has marked hot spots for open fire incidents based on fire trends.
“Overall in the state of Sabah there are 114 hotspots identified with a total area of 27,815.39 Hectares,” he said.
He was met after the Sabah and Labuan FRD Excellent Service Awards ceremony held at the Sabah FRD headquarters along Jalan Lintas.
A number of 83 firemen from Sabah and 14 from Labuan were awarded for their performance in 2023 while 20 Sabah auxiliary firemen and 2 from Labuan also received certificates.
Meanwhile, he said Lahad Datu, Merotai, Kota Belud, Nabawan, Putatan, Pitas and Beaufort firestations will begin operating the latest by next year.
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