{
  "id": 3220393,
  "title": "Angin kencang sukarkan pemadaman kebakaran paya gambut di Pengerang",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/angin-kencang-sukarkan-pemadaman-kebakaran-paya-gambut-di-pengerang-3220393",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T07:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/08/25/angin-kencang-sukarkan-pemadaman-kebakaran-paya-gambut-di-pengerang"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scorching heat and strong wind have made it difficult to control a wildfire in the Gambut village area on the Punggai-Sebana Cove bypass road in Pengerang, Johor. (Picture JBPM Johor) KUALA LUMPUR: Hot weather and strong gusts have complicated the open-air firefighting operations in the approximately 51.4-hectare forest area of Gambut village along Jalan Bypass Punggai-Sebana Cove in Pengerang since yesterday. Komander Operasi of Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Baharuddin Idris said the fire area was divided into two zones, Sector A covering 35.6 hectares and Sector B covering 15.8 hectares. So far, only about 9.7% of Sector A has been controlled, while Sector B has been successfully contained. The main challenge we face is the strong wind, scorching heat, and lack of water sources. However, we greatly appreciate the assistance from other agencies providing water supply. Our operations are hampered by the strong wind and hot weather, in addition to the limited water supply. We are using alternately refilled bomb blast tanks with assistance from related agencies, including Ranhill SAJ, he said, in the fire location. He added that JBPM is waiting for the arrival of two excavators from other agencies expected today. JBPM also needs larger excavators and amphibious models to enable the use of water jets in the forested and swampy areas, and to help create firebreaks, especially in Sector A. He noted that the risk of fire spreading still exists if the wind becomes stronger, but Sector B has been successfully contained. We hope that if the weather remains not too hot, we can extinguish the fire there (in Sector B). In Sector A, we still need assistance to create firebreaks using amphibious excavators. Baharuddin said the fire is not threatening the residents because the nearest residential area, Sebana Cove, is about 3km away, while Punggai is about 4km to 5km away from the fire location. Meanwhile, the involved road has been fully closed to the public since yesterday afternoon to ensure the safety of road users and the smooth operation of firefighting. As of now, the fire area is classified as agricultural land, with a portion near Felda Keledang, which has oil palm plantations, while the rest is unseeded. He said the cause of the fire has not been identified, and further investigation is ongoing. However, there is a possibility of public involvement, including fishing activities, but we cannot confirm whether this is related to the fire's cause or not. The firefighting equipment used includes two Fire Rescue Tenders, a water tanker, four Toyota Hilux, an amphibious excavator, two transport pumps, and three 21-member generator sets. The team also includes four members from the Armed Forces Volunteer (APM), including four fire stations. Meanwhile, Adun Tanjung Surat, Aznan Tamin advised residents to follow the authorities' instructions and avoid using the Punggai Bypass Road due to the bushfire, to ensure safety. He warned that thick smoke from the fire can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents, so the public is advised to use face masks if exposed to the smoke plume, as the air pollution index in the affected area might slightly increase to 125. He urged residents in the nearby residential areas, especially Taman Bayu Damai and Punggai, to use face masks if exposed to the smoke plume, as the air pollution index in the affected area might slightly increase to 125. I hope this incident will serve as a lesson to all parties to be more vigilant and not engage in open burning, especially during hot weather.",
  "summary": "Sehingga kini, kira-kira 9.7% kawasan kebakaran di Sektor A dikawal, manakala Sektor B berjaya dikawal.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Kebakaran paya gambut di Pengerang merebak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/kebakaran-paya-gambut-di-pengerang-merebak",
        "published": "2026-08-24T15:41:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}