PENGERANG: Efforts to contain the peat soil fire at the Bukit Pelali Chinese cemetery and along the Sebana-Punggai bypass road are still ongoing.
Sebana Cove fire station chief Umar Hafiz Roslee Amir said the fires, which started at 5.08pm on Sunday (Sept 6), cover an area of about 17ha.
"As of now, we managed to put out 6.8ha or 40% of the affected area," he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 7).
Umar Hafiz said strong winds, spot fires and forest terrain made battling the blaze difficult.
He said the affected area was divided into two sectors, Sector A covering 13ha and Sector B over 4ha, for the firefighting operation.
"We are using a direct attack method with a 152m (500ft) water hose, one dividing breeching (a tool that splits a single water supply line over two or more hose lines), three jet pumps, a portable water pump and open water sources for Sector A," he said.
For Sector B, a 122m (400ft) water hose, two jet pumps, a portable water pump and water from Ranhill SAJ were being employed, he added.
Umar Hafiz said the team faced a setback owing to equipment breaking down.
"Enhancements to the operation, including routine monitoring within and around the affected areas, are done from time to time," he said.
Umar Hafiz said 11 firefights from Sebana Cove and seven from the Punggai station are involved in the operation.
They are being aided by one firefighter from the Irrigation and Drainage Department and seven from Ranhill SAJ.
