API hits hazardous levels

Smoky situation: Thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as forest fires rage in Kuala Baram.

MIRI: The Air Pollutant Index (API) in northern Sarawak’s Kuala Baram district hit hazardous levels following worsening forest fires.The API hit a shocking 404 at the Industrial Training Institute here yesterday morning while SK Kuala Baram registered 204, causing two schools to shut down.

Readings above 300 indicate hazardous level of air pollutants, while readings between 201 and 300 are considered “very unhealthy”.

In its latest update, the Sarawak Disaster Relief Management Committee said the API shot up due to worsening fires on the ground in several areas in Kuala Baram.

“Firefighters are doing all they can to contain the fires, ” said Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong.

The Sarawak Disaster Relief Management Committee announced in Kuching that SK Kuala Baram 2 and SJK Chung Hua Tudan had been told that they must close until further notice.

SK Kuala Baram has about 600 pupils and teaching staff, while SJK Chung Hua Tudan about 1,300 pupils and teachers.

Kuala Baram district is 20km north of Miri city and has a population of 100,000 people.

Firefighters said it was hard to completely snuff out the fires, which were raging dangerously close to housing estates and schools.- Star