FIRE-FIGHTING OP AT OIL PALM PLANTATION AND FOREST IN GEBENG COMPLETED

KUANTAN, March 10 (Bernama) -- The operation to extinguish the fire at a 176-hectare oil palm plantation and forest along the Kuantan-Sungai Ular bypass, Gebeng, which started on Feb 22, has been successfully completed today.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director, Mohd Razam Taja Rahim, however, said that close monitoring of the location will continue to be conducted by the Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) for the next three days.

He said that this monitoring is important as the fire occurred on peatland, where embers often remain underground, even though they are not visibly apparent on the surface of the plantation and forest.

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"Through this monitoring, we will ensure that there are no remaining embers (in the peatland) that could potentially ignite another fire. The JBPM would like to express its highest appreciation to the agencies involved, including the Kuantan District Office, the Public Works Department, and the Irrigation and Drainage Department.

"Also, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, the Department of Environment, and other parties who have worked alongside JBPM in carrying out the firefighting operation. This strong cooperation reflects the government's commitment to the sustainability of the people's lives," he said in a statement this evening.

The fire, which started in an oil palm plantation before spreading to the surrounding forest, caused the air pollutant index (API) reading in the Balok Baru area to reach the unhealthy category with a reading of 193 on Tuesday.

Involving more than 70 personnel from 10 fire and rescue stations, the fire also caught the attention of the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who advised residents in the Balok Baru area to be cautious due to the air pollution in the region.

Additionally, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad visited the and received a briefing from the relevant agency officers on Thursday.

-- BERNAMA