NREB activates haze operations room as 18 wildfires detected in Sarawak and 241 hotspots rage across Kalimantan
KUCHING: Sarawak is bracing for a worsening haze crisis as authorities raise the alarm over escalating forest fires both within the state and across its border with Kalimantan, with aerial water-bombing operations underway and all open burning activities now banned.
The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has activated its haze operations room statewide after satellite data showed a significant build-up of fire activity across Borneo Island. According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore, 241 hotspots were detected across Kalimantan throughout March 2026, compared to 18 recorded within Sarawak over the same period.
NREB warned that rising Air Pollutant Index (API) readings — recorded at 17 areas across the state — are being driven by a combination of localised open burning and transboundary haze drifting in from Indonesian Borneo.
Adding urgency to the situation, the inter-monsoon phase begins on March 29 and is expected to persist through May 2026, bringing weak and variable winds that are likely to trap smoke and amplify haze conditions across the state.
On the ground and in the air, firefighters are battling blazes across multiple fronts. The most critical flashpoint remains in the Kuala Tatau-Serupai area in Tatau district, northern Sarawak, where peatland fires covering an estimated 200 hectares continue to burn. Helicopters flown in from Miri — approximately 250 kilometres away — have been conducting water-bombing runs over the area, drawing from nearby rivers to douse the flames.
Conditions are making containment extremely difficult. Fire crews report that many blazes are burning deep inside terrain with no road access and scarce water sources, with flames spreading rapidly in the hot and dry weather.
In central Sarawak, Sibu district is contending with at least two major fires simultaneously — one covering around 16 hectares near the Ngu Chung Beng Driving Institute, and another reported along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Mukah district is also battling a large and fast-moving blaze in a forested area, with firefighters struggling to reach the site.
The surge in fire activity spans nine districts across the state — from Miri, Tatau, and Bintulu in the north, to Sibu and Mukah in the centre, and Betong, Sri Aman, and Kuching in the south.
In response, NREB has taken a series of firm enforcement measures. The board has suspended the issuance of controlled burning permits, deployed field patrol teams, and issued formal notices prohibiting open burning to all project developers statewide.
Investigations are currently underway into suspected open burning incidents at Kuala Tatau-Serupai, Bintulu, and along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Sibu.
Those found guilty of open burning offences face penalties under Section 30(1)(a) and Section 30(2) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance — including fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The public is urged to report any open burning activity to the nearest NREB office or via the NREB hotline at 082-447488 or 082-319500. The identity of all informants will be kept confidential.
NREB said it is closely coordinating with the ASMC in Singapore, which is providing real-time satellite imagery of fire and hotspot activity across Borneo Island.
 The Sun Malaysia
