On 5 August 2009, I joined the firefighters for 120 minutes in their attempt to put off the fire nearby Sentosa and Bukit Lima areas.
The effort seemed almost futile when the fire met with strong wind and dry wood. They were just like passionate lovers, their fire burned endlessly. Nonetheless, the firefighters managed to prevent the fire from causing damage to the electric poles, water pipes and general public’s property. I felt sorry for the monkeys, the squirrel, the birds and all animals for losing their homes to the fire.
This is the most unproductive time of the year. Due to the haze, all outdoor activities are restricted and public’s health turned fragile. I wonder why people never learn the lesson. The same mistake repeats annually.
The first area I visited was Emerald Park, a housing area near Bukit Lima. Firefighters were trying hard to put off the fire beside a construction site. They succeeded because there is a big pool of water beside the construction area.
A hot dog. I found that it dipped itself inside the drain to cool down itself!
Firefighters working hard to prevent the fire from reaching the construction site.
A nearby housing area
An untimely harvest
With the wind’s presence, the wood and fire were just like passionate lovers.
The thick smoke cast a dark shadow over the sky.
The construction site is lucky to have the big water pool nearby.
Next I joined the firefighters at Sentosa. I learned that the firefighters had just put off a fire inside the Bukit Lima Forest Park on that morning.
When I was there, they were busy putting off the fire outside the park. They managed to put the fire under control. Nonetheless the fire is still burning. I believe that the fire will only rest in peace after a heavy and torrential rain.
Peat fire. The most devilish kind of fire.
My favourite jogging spot. One of my friend was more concerned about the monkeys and squirrels inside the park when I told her the park’s vicinity was on fire. Nonetheless I told her that God will take care of them. I do believe they will be safe.
Bukit Lima Forest Park.
The firefighters’ presence drew crowd from the nearby housing area.
Twilight. The fire is not going to give up until the last tree is burnt.
So do the firefighters. They are not going to give up until the residential area and public property is safe from the fire.
When I left, the war was still on going. Between the firefighters and the fire, I did not know who won the war, but I knew that the public was one of the losers.
Open burning triggers a series of detrimental chain reaction to the people and environment all over the world. From haze to health hazards, damage to the public properties, climate change, acid rain, reduced photosynthesis and finally food crisis, everyone is a loser in the long run.
Let us hope the irresponsible people will eventually learnt about the consequences of their act and stop repeating the same mistake in the future. The government should tighten the enforcement meanwhile the public, especially the grown up children of the traditional farmers, are to advise their parents against open burning for shift agriculture.
Let us make this world a better place to live in. Think before you burn!
