Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) said its chairman inspected the site with Natural Resources and Environment Board officers and firefighters. Sibu’s Air Pollutant Index was 327 — in the hazardous range — when the fire was reported.

NREB officers told the council that people believed to be involved ran into nearby bush when enforcement personnel arrived. No suspect has been identified publicly and no charge has been announced.

SRDC will ask the Land and Survey Department to verify the affected plots and their registered owners. Landowners along the bypass have been urged to check for unauthorised farming, while the council plans a multi-agency meeting over repeated burning in the area.