KLUANG: Firefighting efforts are underway to tackle another peatland fire at a pineapple plantation here.
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department said the fire was reported at a pineapple plantation in Simpang Renggam at 9.05am on Saturday (Jan 31).
“Firefighting operations began immediately, with firefighters using water sourced from nearby drains.
“So far, more than 10% of the affected 8.09ha area has been extinguished, and efforts are still ongoing,” the department said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 1).
It added that operations were delayed by several obstacles en route to the scene, including passing through three traffic lights, navigating narrow roads, and dealing with heavy smoke.
Earlier, a series of peatland fires had been reported in several areas across Johor.
On Saturday, a peatland fire reportedly damaged nearly 5,000 pineapple plants belonging to a farmer in Kampung Parit Haji Abd Aziz in Sungai Balang Besar, Muar.
On Jan 23, a peatland fire razed nearly 100ha along Jalan Sungai Kapal in Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang, near Kota Tinggi, forcing more than 150 residents to evacuate to temporary relief centres.
Firefighters deployed air assets to conduct a series of water-bombing sorties to suppress the fire, and it was completely extinguished after a week-long operation.
