Raging Flames Spell Danger For Brunei
By Saiful Rizal

Bandar Seri Begawan - Fires breaking out constantly all over oil rich Brunei is endangering the country. Flames are also threatening the Belait oil district about 100 km down south of the capital where a large part of the sultanate's valuable petroleum is produced.

Oil town firefighters said that that they were still trying to bring under control a large bush fire at Anduki where the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company's airfield is situated. Fires have also spread to several other areas in the country. Bush and peat fires during the past several days are spelling increasing danger.

The main cause is the continuing dry spell which has made the vegetation and peat soil vulnerable to fire hazard.

And the bad news is that the warm and dry season is expected to last until the end of March.

The authorities yesterday urged the public to cooperate and refrain from open burning or carry out any other activity that could ignite fires.

At the same time a public appeal was made to report any sightings of bush and peat fires to the Fire Services Department by dialling 995.

The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, Ministry of Development making the announcement said it was a serious offence to start open fires. Dry leaves and other trash should be disposed of in other ways, it said.

One of the biggest bushfire incidents this year is raging at Kg Junjungan, Mukim Lumapas near the Brunei capital where the fire razed about 36 acres of farmland last Thursday.

Meanwhile sources at the Fire Services Department said, the bushfire in Anduki was still burning.

More fires have also been reported in other areas . These include the electric station in Muara, Jalan Petai in Labi, Kuala Belait Simpang 619, and Kg Batong in the Brunei-Muara District.

The full text from the press release is as follows:

Over the past few days, the numbers of bush and peat fires reported in the country has increased. The occurrence of these fires coincides with the prevailing dry weather conditions making vegetation and peat soil susceptible to catching fires as well as for the fires to spread. The dry weather conditions are expected to last until March.

Some of the fires that have occurred have affected the air quality and visibility, especially in areas that are closer to the fires itself. Fires that occur in peat soil areas are more difficult to extinguish and usually generate more smoke pollution. Poor visibility is also a hazard safety, especially to road users. As a safety precaution to road users and to ease the movement of fire-fighters within the vicinity, some roads have been closed.

To prevent the outbreak of fires, the public is reminded not to carry out open burning and other actions that can ignite bush and peat areas. The public is also advised to report any sightings of bush and peat fires to the Fire Services Department at hotline no. 995. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

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