Heavy machinery carries out excavation and firebreak works to contain the underground peat fire at Kampung Batu Satu, Kuala Baram, as smoke lingers in the background.

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 3: A stubborn peat fire in Kampung Batu Satu, Kuala Baram has been contained yesterday (Apr 2), with firebreaks and excavation works stopping the underground blaze from spreading further.

The fire, reported around 1pm, started in a pit area and spread beneath the surface, producing thick smoke and complicating firefighting efforts.

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Sarawak Transport Minister and Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said difficult peat conditions and limited water sources posed major challenges.

“Underground fires are hard to extinguish. Firefighters had to bring in water tanks, and we sought assistance from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID),” he was quoted by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) as saying.

Heavy machinery was deployed to dig up affected areas and create firebreaks—key to cutting off the fire’s path and exposing hidden hotspots.

Works began Wednesday afternoon (Apr 1) and have since shown steady progress, with conditions improving as of Thursday (Apr 2).

Lee said coordination is ongoing with the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee to strengthen readiness as the dry season sets in.

He urged the public to avoid open burning and report any signs of fire or smoke immediately, warning that peat fires and haze are recurring threats during dry spells. — DayakDaily