Protecting harvests: Fire and Rescue Department personnel working to extinguish a fire at a pineapple plantation in Kampung Parit Haji Abd Aziz, Sungai Balang Besar, Muar. — Bernama
MUAR: A peatland fire has damaged nearly 5,000 pineapple plants belonging to a farmer in Kampung Parit Hj Abd Aziz, Sungai Balang Besar, resulting in losses estimated at about RM10,000.
Abd Malik Kadri, 60, said this was the first such incident since he began cultivating cash crops about five years ago.
When the fire broke out on Tuesday, Abd Malik initially tried to put out the flames himself.
However, as the fire intensified, he had to call on the Fire and Rescue Department for help.
“A team of firefighters from Batu Pahat came to extinguish the blaze.
“However, on Thursday, the farm, covering about two and a half acres caught fire again.
“It may be due to the peat soil, which can retain embers. Combined with hot and windy weather, this caused my farm to burn again,” he told Bernama.
Abd Malik said he had managed to harvest some of his crops a few days before the fire, but the newly planted plants are already wilting and may struggle to survive or bear fruit.
Neighbouring farmer Mohammad Musa Jamil, 61, said his farm was also affected, with 15 oil palm trees destroyed.
“I will avoid open burning during the hot season, especially when disposing of oil palm fronds.
“I will immediately contact the Fire Department if a fire occurs, because fire on peat soil is difficult to extinguish,” he said.
Yesterday, personnel from the Muar Fire and Rescue Station were seen fighting a fire in the area, but the operation was hampered by water shortage as nearby canals had dried up.
