{
  "id": 2995051,
  "title": "Hot, windy, dry spell fuels Johor fire risk as 32ha of grassland burns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/hot-windy-dry-spell-fuels-johor-fire-risk-as-32ha-of-grassland-burns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T10:12:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1517976/hot-windy-dry-spell-fuels-johor-fire-risk-32ha-grassland-burns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kota Tinggi has been experiencing scorching, arid, and gusty weather, heightening the potential for bushfires across the Johor region. Over 31 hectares of grassland, known as lalang, have been burning in Pengerang and Iskandar Puteri within a span of 24 hours. The latest inferno engulfed approximately 29 hectares of bushland on the Punggai-Sebana Cove Bypass in Pengerang, with firefighters still actively combating the flames at the time of reporting.\n\nJohor Fire and Rescue Department's operations commander, Noor Ikhson Shukor, disclosed that the department was alerted at 11:25 AM today. Twelve personnel from the Sebana Cove and Punggai fire stations were dispatched to the scene, where they discovered around 29 hectares of lalang engulfed in flames. Employing two 300-foot hose lines equipped with two water jets each, the firefighting efforts were ongoing as of 5:00 PM, with no reported casualties.\n\nThe intense heat and dry conditions, coupled with strong gusts, have accelerated the fire's spread, according to Noor Ikhson. This event occurred mere hours after Johor Firefighters successfully contained a separate scrub fire at Persiaran Medini in Iskandar Puteri, which had affected around 2.83 hectares. The fire, reported at 5:50 PM yesterday, was extinguished by 11:30 PM. Sixteen firefighters from the Iskandar Puteri and Skudai stations were deployed to the affected area. Situated close to residential zones and commercial establishments, the blaze raised concerns upon the viral circulation of video footage depicting the flames.\n\nWith several days of hot and predominantly dry weather looming ahead, Johor faces a heightened risk of forest and peatland fires. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) forecasted temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius statewide today, with no precipitation expected in Johor Baru. MetMalaysia has cautioned that the Southwest Monsoon, persisting until September, brings lower humidity and fewer rainy days, further escalating the risk associated with wildfires.",
  "summary": "KOTA TINGGI: Hot, dry and windy conditions have heightened the risk of bush fires in Johor, with more than 31 hectares of lands with lalang burning in Pengerang and Iskandar Puteri in less than 24 hours.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}