STOMPer Wen Bin recently took a trip down to the picturesque Henderson Waves and Forest Walk. He sent in these stunning pictures to share.
Here's what he wrote in an email today (Feb 20).
"I would like to share some selected shots I took at Henderson Waves and Forest Walk.
"This is a great place for destressing and having a workout.
"I highly recommend it for nature lovers."
A STOMPer says these overhanging branches along a sidewalk at Mount Faber are a nuisance to pedestrians.
He says:
"I was walking from the Southern Ridge to Mount Faber along this pavement. The branches were so long that you can find ants and other insects falling on your head.
"Why have they been left uncut for so long?"
Kudos to the firefighters and personnel handling the forest fires at the Bukit Batok area, because according to STOMPer Ming, they were not easy to put out.
In an email to STOMP today (Feb 19), the STOMPer wrote:
"Great job done by all the firefighters and personnel handling the fire at Bukit Batok forest area under sudden and difficult environment.
"The pictures shows just how extend the fire ravage the trees with such intense ferocity.
"It can be clearly seen that the second day of the fire was much more damaging and difficult to contain.
"Hope this is a good eye-opener for everyone in Singapore that a fire can be very dangerous when it gets out of control."
The STOMPer sent in these pictures of the fire and the aftermath.
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it
- We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel
STOMPer Alan captured these photos of what seemed to be a reddish-looking sun from his home in Joo Seng Road at about 8.30am yesterday (Feb 17).
Could the recent bush-fires and haze be the cause of this, he wonders.
He says:
"The recent haze and bush-fires may have caused the sun to turn dark red in the morning and also carries an halo.
"It is a phenomenon you don't see often."
White light coming from the Sun contains all colors of light from red to blue. The molecules in Earth's atmosphere do not scatter much of the red light, but they do scatter a significant amount of blue light. This effect causes the blue sky.
These molecules scattering light also cause the Sun to appear redder than it really is. When the Sun is high in the sky the amount of reddening is small. However the Sun will still appear redder from the ground than from space because the atmosphere scatters some of the blue light.
When the Sun is low in the sky, much more of the blue light coming from the Sun is scattered away from the direct path towards our eyes. Hence the Sun will appear very red when it is low in the sky.
[...]
The effect can increase when the Sun sets or rises over a large city. Pollution particles increase the effect by scattering or absorbing more blue light than red light.
They said someday you'll find
All who love are blind
Oh, when your heart's on fire
You must realise
Smoke gets in your eyes
- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by The Platters
Although the fire that occurred in Bukit Batok on February 16 was put out, another broke out on February 17. STOMPer Geok Cheng took this video of the second fire to show fellow STOMPers the severity of the second bush-fire.
Geok Cheng says:
"Here are some photos and a video of the fire that broke out on February 17 2009, at Bukit Batok around 4.30pm.
"This is the second time a fire broke out in the Bukit Batok forest. The first occurred on February 16 2009.
"Hope these photos are of some use.
"Photos taken from Block 122 Bukit Batok Central."
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
- Firestarter by The Prodigy
The bush-fire at Bukit Batok was so large that firemen had to work extra hard and take turns having their dinner on-site to ensure that it was put out, says STOMPer WS.
The fire had been put out earlier on Tuesday morning (February 17) but started again in the afternoon.
This time round, the fire had spread towards the road and caused the Bukit Batok neighbourhood to be covered in soot and smoke.
WS says in an e-mail dated February 17:
"Bukit Batok hilltop fire was put out this morning. At 1pm, at the same spot, the fire started again. This time, it spread out near the road. The whole of Bukit Batok is now smoky and smelly.
"Ashes were all around. Curious people were looking out to the dense smoke.
"The firemen linked all their hoses together so that they can reach the tree top.
"Situation was finally controlled in the later afternoon around 5pm to 6pm. However, the firemen had to take turns to have their dinner at the void deck to ensure fires in all spots are fully put out."
The roof the roof the roof is on fire
We don't need no water let the motherfucker burn
Burn motherfucker burn
Burn motherfucker burn
The roof the roof the roof is on fire
- The Roof Is On Fire by The Grim Reaper
When STOMPer Chua looked out of the window at his Bukit Batok Central flat, he was shocked to be greeted by a cloud of dust and smoke.
A fire had broken out in the forested area nearby and caused a thick cloud of smoke to rise.
The fire, which started before 3:30pm on February 17, had not been put out one and a half hours later.
Chua says:
"I thought they were fogging the area with insecticide at first but when I opened the window I realised that there was a huge fire.
"There is a lot of smoke and the fire is spreading to the other corner.
"I did not see any fire engines until 4:15pm, when a small truck arrived with a few men. They did not seem to be able to handle the fire very well. It didn’t seem like they could put it out.
"Until now, the fire is still spreading.
"My house is covered in soot and dust now."
Related story:
S'poreans concerned about Aussie-type fire disaster here
We on fire
Up in here, it's burning hot
We on fire
Shorty take it off if it get too hot, up in this spot
We on fire
Tear the roof off this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
Nigga what you say
We get loose in this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
- On Fire by Lloyd Banks
As the bushfires in Australia cause a staggering amount of damage to lives and property, Singaporeans have become concerned about the vegetation fires that have erupted here.
On Feb 12, STOMPer YW posted an article upon discovering the bushes all cleared along Upper Serangoon Road, leaving only ashes in its wake.
More recently, there was another fire at Bukit Batok on the evening of Feb 16, and four STOMPers emailed STOMP. Ming commented that although the fire was contained, it erupted into huge fireballs several times.
As for STOMPer WS, he expressed his confusion about how the fire started, as it had been raining beforehand.
STOMP contacted SCDF and this was their reply to the Bukit Batok fire on Feb 16:
"The fire was located on the top of the hill, rendering it difficult to access.
"The affected area was the size of two basketball courts.
"The fire was under control approximately 30 minutes after SCDF arrived on the scene."
When questioned about people's concerns that this could turn into an Aussie-type fire disaster, SCDF had this to say:
"This fire was different to deal with as it was on top of a hill.
"We do have an advisory for people to follow.
"One, do not throw lighted materials such as cigarettes in fields and rubbish dumps.
"Two, do not dispose rubbish in open fields and gardens. Rubbish dumps provide fuel to sustain fires.
"Three, households with gardens should keep the grass watered.
"Four, incense papers should be burned in the bins provided and kept a safe distance away from combustible materials.
"When the ritual is over, the surroundings should be checked for smouldering remains to ensure that materials are completely extinguished."
Read their articles:
"Terrifying to see huge balls of fire in S'pore"
Bukit Batok bushfire a surreal experience for fire safety engineer
Bushfire starts despite earlier rain
Firemen battle hilltop bush-fire in Bukit Batok
Look at the damage wreaked by S'pore's own bush-fire in Sengkang
Yet another bush-fire at Bukit Batok
When I'm on fire
When you're near me
I'm on fire
When you speak
And I'm on fire
Burning at these mysteries
Mysteries...
- On Fire by Switchfoot
WS saw this fireball from his house at Bukit Batok and hopes no one was hurt. He feels slightly bewildered as to how the fire started as it had been raining before that.
Says the STOMPer:
"I saw the smoke and fire from my kitchen at about 7p.m. I stay at Bukit Batok.
"It was far away so no smell of smoke but one of my friends, who is studying at Millennial Institute, commented that there were ashes at its field and the area was smoky in the afternoon, around 4 to 5 plus.
"I was worried if anyone got hurt because from my place, it seems like some housing caught fire.
"But it's kind of strange as well because there was heavy rain about 3 plus, so I don't see how the fire started."
Well if you want it let's go
I got that fire, so hot I burn it down
Act like you already know
I got that fire, 'cause I'm the flyest chick around
You want it, it's fire, I got it, that fire
So I might ignite ya, it's fire, it's fire
- Fire by 50 Cent feat. Young Buck & Nicole Scherzinger
Victor, a practising fire safety engineer, saw a bushfire from his house at Bukit Batok and says the experience felt surreal. He says:
"These photos were taken from my window. The fire is near Bukit Batok Central and West Ave 6.
"The fire happened around 5.30p.m yesterday.
"I happen to be a practising fire safety engineer.
"It so happened that I was doing a simulation on my computer when I glanced up and saw a real fire out my window!
"I wasn't really shocked but it was definitely a surreal feeling."
When we kiss
I'm on fire
Your tenderness
Gives me desire
I can't resist
Your tender lips
When we kiss
Ooh...
Fire
- Fire by Babyface and Des'ree
Returning home from work, a STOMPer was greeted by the sight of a massive bush fire, which broke out in the Western part of Singapore on Feb 16.
Ming told STOMP:
"I got back home this evening from work and was terrified to see the Australia bush fire (Singapore version) in front of our estate.
"Several times, though the fire was well contained, then it erupted into huge fire balls (like the pics here)...
"The fire lasted for 1.5 hours."
Goodness gracious great balls of fire!
- Great Balls Of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis
A STOMPer saw a bush-fire at Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 at about 5.30pm today (Feb 16).
He said:
"I was passing by the area when I saw smoke coming from a forested part of the area.
"A huge part of Bukit Batok is covered in smoke.
"SCDF officers were already there battling the fire."
STOMP contacted the SCDF and it said that it received a call at 4.43pm informing them of the fire.
They deployed one fire engine, two fire bikes and one red rhino and arrived at the scene within 6 minutes.
SCDF said its officers were still battling the fire as it was on an inaccessible hilltop, as the report was being made.
There are several beehives at the overhead bridge ceiling leading to SGH and STOMPer DMummy was shocked when she saw the number of the bees flying in the vicinity.
In her email to STOMP today (Feb 16), the STOMPer wrote:
"Yesterday I went to SGH to visit my relative. I used the overhead bridge at Outram MRT, which leads to SGH.
"When I went up the escalator, I got a shock, as there are bees flying everywhere!
"I looked up and was shocked to see numerous beehives on the lights.
"There was at least six or seven of bee hives on the ceiling lights.
"With the giant hives, directly above the escalator going up, those who have to use the overhead bridge, will definitely have to pass under the hives. This is so dangerous."
STOMPer Marc says he was told that the PSI reading is normal, but he can still see and smell the smoke in the air.
He says:
"My wife and I live in the Hougang area, and have been plagued by hazy and smoky air at nights for the last 1.5 weeks.
"This morning (Feb 15, 8am), we again woke up to smoky air. There was a strong smoky smell in the air, and it had seeped into the house.
"When you look out the window, it is very apparent to the naked eye that the air was hazy.
"I called the National Environment Agency Hotline and was told by the staff that the PSI reading was a mere 46 - which is in the healthy range.
"I have attached a picture that I took this morning from our living room window. You can see the poor visibility in the picture.
"There is an obvious disparity between what you can see/smell vs the PSI reading. I question the accuracy of the NEA PSI meters, as what we're experiencing is corroborated by most of the neighbours in our estate.
"I would appreciate it if the relevant authorities can look into this health issue."