KOTA TINGGI: Helicopters will be deployed today for water bombing to speed up efforts to put out the peat fire along Jalan Sungai Kapal and Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang, which has affected 99.54ha since it started on Friday.
Punggai Fire and Rescue Station chief, Leading Fire Officer II Ezam Mistorerrodin said the use of helicopters was vital to fight peat fires that were hard to access and often burned below the surface.
“Fire breaks have been dug around the areas affected by the flames, for total flooding.
“Water bombing operations are expected to help speed up the process of putting out the fire,” he said when met at the location of the fire yesterday, Bernama reported.
The operation is expected to begin at 9am, depending on weather and wind conditions.
As at noon yesterday, the joint operation between the Fire Department, police and other agencies managed to douse 28% of the flames or about 28.33ha of the affected area, said Ezam.
