| Achong Tanjong |
PERSONNEL from the Fire and Rescue Department have been working hard over the past weeks, trying to extinguish peat fires at the Badas Forest Reserve in Belait District, and in the Kampong Sungai Tilong area of the Brunei-Muara District.
Peatland fires pose a major threat to the natural environment and also to the local population, due to high emissions of carbon. The fires are also difficult to eradicate, since flames can spread through the peat layers and smoulder undetected, for months or years.
These were among the issues discussed at a recent meeting on peat fires, led by Mahmud bin Haji Yussof, Chief Executive Officer at the Brunei Darussalam Heart of Borneo Centre, under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Several agencies were present during the meeting, including Brunei Shell Petroleum, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Public Works Department, Radio Televisyen Brunei, the Land Department and the Wildlife Division.
Meeting in progress to discuss about raising awareness among the public on how to protect peat forests and avoid massive wildfires. – ACHONG TANJONG
The meeting proposed holding talks at the village and mukim level, to raise more awareness among the general public on how to protect peat forests and avoid massive wildfires.
Meanwhile, the public is advised to avoid outdoor burning, which could exacerbate air quality problems in current dry weather conditions.
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