KUALA LANGAT – The fire in Compartment 15 of the Kuala Langat South Forest Reserve here, detected yesterday, has spread to more than 40ha due to the hot, dry and windy weather.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said the state government is receiving help from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to conduct “water bombing” using a Bombardier CL-415, to expedite firefighting efforts.
The method is expected to reduce the estimated time to contain the blaze from four to six weeks, to two to three weeks.
“We have managed to extinguish the fire in an area measuring 6.07ha, and efforts have been made to put out the source of the fire,” Norazam told reporters near the scene today.
He said 180 personnel from various agencies have been deployed to tackle the blaze, including 120 firefighters, 30 from the Forestry Department, and seven from MMEA.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department director Md Hilman Abd Rashid warned farmers and plantation owners against carrying out open burning, given the current weather conditions.
He told reporters in the state capital today that 20 areas have been identified as being at high risk of catching fire in the state.
They include Ladang Tebung Haji Lembah Bidong in Setiu, Kg Pengkalan Jering in Dungun, Kg Meraga Beris in Kemaman and Kg Batu 7 in Dungun. – Bernama, March 2, 2021
