KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has deployed its amphibious Bombardier CL415MP aircraft to help put out a forest fire near the Sebana Cove-Punggai bypass here.
Johor Maritime director First Admiral maritime Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the aircraft was deployed to help the Fire and Rescue Department fight the fires that have spread to 32ha of land.
"Aid was provided after our drone conducted an air surveillance and found that the fire had spread from 2ha to 32ha in three days.
"The department then alerted the Kota Tinggi district office, which requested help to conduct water bombing on the affected areas," he said in a statement here on Tuesday (Oct 17).
Nurul Hizam added that the aircraft is able to carry 6,000l of water.
"The aircraft made 18 water bombings on Tuesday and will continue until all fires have been put out.
"The public is advised not to conduct any open burning activities that could further worsen the condition, especially near the area," he said.
Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Mohd Khairul Sufian Dahari said that a total of 18 personnel were deployed to the location.
"We also deployed a fire truck, fire rescue vehicle and water tanker.
"We have divided the area into two sectors, Jalan Punggai and Jalan Sebana, and conducted total flooding in both areas," he said, adding that the operation is still ongoing.
