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A FIRE that has been raging in a forest and pineapple plantation near Kampung Cenderawasih in Pekan, Pahang, since March 7 has now engulfed 113 hectares, up from 94 hectares reported on Wednesday, according to the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
Pahang JBPM Director Mohd Razam Taja Rahim stated that efforts have so far been successful in extinguishing 93.36 hectares of the fire.
Firefighters are now focused on containing the remaining 19.64 hectares to prevent further spread.
The operation is being carried out in three distinct sectors to ensure efficiency, he said.
Mohd Razam explained that the operation involves a total of 99 personnel from the Pekan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), with support from eight other BBPs, including those from Nenasi, Peramu, Indera Mahkota, and Kuantan.
This collaborative effort has been ongoing for nine days.
“The operation also includes aerial surveillance and fire suppression through ‘water bombing’ near the pineapple plantation in Kampung Cenderawasih. A total of 181 water bombings have been carried out, releasing 259,326 litres of water on the fire site,” Mohd Razam said in a statement.
The water for the aerial operation is being sourced from three ditches near the plantation, with the bombing conducted at heights ranging from 100 to 200 feet. On the ground, firemen are employing bush fire suppression techniques to tackle the blaze.
However, Mohd Razam pointed out that water bombing operations had to be temporarily suspended due to a hydraulic system failure on the aircraft, which was subsequently diverted back to the BBP Peramu for repairs.
In addition to aerial efforts, the firefighting team is also using direct extinguishing methods, fire suppression tactics, and flooding the affected areas to control the blaze. – March 16, 2025