Challenging task: Nur Fitrah hosing down a hotspot at an oil palm plantation in Kluang, Johor. — Bernama
Women firefighters work tirelessly to contain peatland fire
KLUANG: As a peatland fire swept across a Simpang Renggam plantation, two women firefighters stood their ground battling flames at a pineapple and oil palm plantation here.
One took part in frontline efforts to combat the blaze, while the other was involved in operational strategies to contain and extinguish the fire, which had spread to nine hectares.
Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Zone 3 head Siti Hajar Sanusi said this was the largest peatland fire operation she had handled since beginning her career in 2012.
As operation leader, Siti Hajar said it was her responsibility to determine which firefighting methods to employ while tackling operational challenges, such as sourcing adequate water.
“People may think being a leader is easy, but for me, it is a huge responsibility that must be shouldered diligently,” she told Bernama during the firefighting operation at the plantation on Sunday.
Having started her career as head of the Fire Investigation Branch in Zone 1, Siti Hajar said fighting peatland fires is the most demanding task firefighters can face.
This is because fires can flare up repeatedly in the same spot due to embers, unlike other types of fires that can be extinguished completely, she added.
Besides the hot and dry weather, strong winds, dust and smoke, the added challenge, she said, was days of careful monitoring needed to ensure no embers remain.
The mother of three from Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat, admitted that becoming a firefighter was not her first career choice, as she had originally wanted to become a teacher.
“But after trying a few times and not succeeding, I accepted that luck played a part. Applying to be a firefighter was a different story, as I was accepted and even passed the physical test on my first try,” she said.
Being a firefighter is a demanding career, as one has to always be prepared and work at odd hours, Siti Hajar added.
Meanwhile, Nur Fitrah Syuhada Asmayor, 23, who became a firefighter in November 2024, said extinguishing peatland fires was challenging because it required staying in the same location for long periods.
The youngest of five siblings said this was her first experience participating in peatland fire operations, having previously been involved in smaller-scale fires at business or residential premises.
“Extinguishing peatland fires is different, as it requires work over several days and hours spent monitoring embers,” she said.
