17ha peatland blaze in Pengerang expected to take 2 days to put out

KOTA TINGGI: A peatland fire spanning 17 hectares along the Sebana Cove-Punggai bypass in Pengerang is projected to require two additional days for complete containment, according to firefighters. The Johor Fire and Rescue Department reported that the flames had been subdued over 10 hectares of the affected region. The distress call was received yesterday at 5 PM, leading to the deployment of 18 personnel from the Sebana Cove and Punggai fire stations.

The blaze has extended to the other side of the road, increasing the total affected area to 17 hectares. Should the weather remain relatively calm and without strong winds, the firefighting operation is expected to be concluded within the next two days. Siti Rohani Nadir, the department director, suggested that human activity might be a potential cause due to the ongoing hot and dry climate.

She advised the public to avoid open burning, emphasizing that even a small fire could rapidly escalate under such conditions. Firefighters are utilizing an excavator to dig trenches for containment while spraying water directly onto the impacted areas. Tanjung Surat assemblyman Aznan Tamin, who inspected the operation for approximately an hour, also appealed to residents to halt open burning during the hot and dry spell.

He urged parents to supervise their children and limit outdoor activities, while schools should temporarily suspend outdoor activities for the sake of pupils' health and safety.