Johor’s Fire and Rescue Department carried out water-bombing operations today, the 28th of January to combat a peatland fire in Pengerang that broke out last Friday.
Deputy department chief Muhammad Al Mustakim Abdul Hady said 52% of the 99.55 hectares affected—roughly equivalent to 120 football fields, has been brought under control, according to Sinar Harian.
The department said dry and windy conditions caused the fire to spread rapidly, sending thick smoke into the Taman Bayu Damai residential area to the south.
Punggai Fire and Rescue Station chief Ezam Mistorerrodin said the fire initially affected about five hectares, as reported by The Star.
During firefighting efforts, one firefighter sustained burn injuries, while 153 people from 50 households were evacuated to two relief centres, according to local media reports.
Housing areas were covered in thick smoke, which made it difficult to breathe and made it harder to see. Residential areas were still covered in dense white smoke and burning odour as of Tuesday.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Johor fire department stated that it has encountered “challenges due to limited water sources and difficult access routes to the fire site.” According to the statement, it has sent out a drone unit to assist in evaluating the terrain and spread pace.
A mobile pumping unit, a three-ton truck, and a fire rescue tender which transports water were among the equipment used by the 26 department employees engaged in the firefighting operation.
