Experts: Peatland fires notoriously difficult to put out

The blaze below: A Fire and Rescue Department helicopter conducting water-bombing operations to help extinguish peatland fires at Jalan Sungai Kapal near Taman Bayu Damai in Pengerang, Johor.

JOHOR BARU: Peatland fires like the one burning in Pengerang since Friday are notoriously difficult to extinguish, as they smoulder underground without visible flames, says a geotechnical expert.

Compounding the challenge, Prof Dr Ahmad Safuan A. Rashid said such fires can continue for long periods even after rainfall.