James Kon
The Sultanate is currently experiencing unpredictable weather, including hot and dry weather conditions that could result in forest or bush fires.
The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) had recorded 87 calls since the start of the year regarding forest and bush fires that have destroyed 73 hectares (ha) of land nationwide.
On April 24, 27 firefighters and four fire engines from Rimba Fire Station with the support of Lambak Kanan Fire Station and Women’s Operation Unit were dispatched to combat a forest fire at the RPN Kampong Rimba.
On arrival at the scene of the fire on Jalan 99 of RPN Kampong Rimba, firefighters were confronted by a huge forest fire.
Firefighters had to extinguish the fire deep in the forest, on the slopes of the hills and nearby residential areas to ensure that fire did not spread further than the 15 hectares of government land it had already affected.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, the FRD stated that there were no casualties.
The agency also advised the public to stop practising open burning, help to extinguish any small forest or bush fire from spreading without endangering themselves and ensure that their homes are at a safety distance of at least 50 metres from trees or forests.
