KOTA TINGGI, March 24 — A forest fire spanning about 150 hectares along the Desaru-Pengerang Highway since Saturday (March 21) is still raging, with 90 hectares of the area continuing to burn as of 6.30pm yesterday.
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department operations centre said that it received an emergency call at 9.30pm on March 21, prompting a team from the Punggai Fire and Rescue Station to be deployed to the site, about six kilometres away.
The fire is burning through the forest and dry scrubland, with flames spreading rapidly due to strong winds, raising the risk of further expansion.
“As of 6.30pm, about 60 hectares, or 40 per cent of the area, has been extinguished, while the remaining 90 hectares, or 60 per cent, is still burning,” it said in a statement late last night.
Firefighting efforts in Sector A are underway using a direct attack method, with a 700-foot hose line supported by two breaching tools, three nozzles, and a Godiva GP10/10 pump drawing water from a nearby open source.
Seven personnel are involved in the operation, using a single Fire Rescue Tender.
Meanwhile, the Sungai Rengit Fire and Rescue Station did not continue operations in Sector B and remained on standby at the station to provide fire cover for areas under the care of both the Sungai Rengit and Punggai stations.
Conditions at the site are reported to be challenging, with thick smoke reducing visibility along the Punggai Bypass Highway heading towards Sebana Cove.
As a precaution, the Royal Malaysia Police from Bayu Damai Police Station were deployed to close the affected road and manage traffic for the safety of road users. No casualties have been reported so far.
