BACHOK: The Bachok fire station has activated round-the-clock peatland firefighting operations across the district to prevent flames spreading to residential areas and plantations.
Station chief Ahmad Ridhuan Mohamad Ghazali said two teams had been formed, comprising a station preparedness team and a special peatland fire unit.
"We have been carrying out operations daily over the past few weeks in high-risk areas and based on complaints from residents.
"For today, the team conducted operations to extinguish peat smoke in Kampung Sri Gondang, covering an area of nearly three hectares,” he said when contacted on Friday (April 3).
Elaborating, Ahmad Ridhuan said that on-site operations were also being carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the Environment Department (DOE) and the Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Ahmad Ridhuan said additional personnel from other stations would be deployed as needed.
"So far, we have requested an additional three portable pumps and a 10,000-litre water tanker from the Pengkalan Kubor station in Tumpat.
"At present, we are only seeing smoke emanating from the peat soil, but with the current hot and dry weather conditions, various possibilities may arise. If necessary, we will seek additional manpower from other fire stations," he said.
Earlier, media reports stated that residents from 10 villages in Bachok were once again gripped by concern following the recurrence of peatland fires in Kampung Kuau, which spread to oil palm and rubber plantations.
The peatland fire, which occurred on Feb 19, had been successfully extinguished by firefighters, but reignited several days ago. – Bernama
