Water Bombing Ops Launched as Peatland Fire Ravages Nearly 100 Hectares in Pengerang
JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 28: The Fire and Rescue Department’s Air Unit began aerial firefighting operations today to combat a massive peatland fire that has scorched nearly 100 hectares in Jalan Sungai Kapal, Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang, since last Friday.
An MI-17-IV helicopter departed from the Central Region Air Base in Subang, Selangor, at 10am to carry out water bombing operations, according to Head of the department’s Air Division Operations Management Branch, Mohd Ruzaidi Ramle.
He said the helicopter, piloted by Deputy Fire Chief II Mohd Hasrizal Kamaruzzaman and Senior Assistant Fire Chief Ahmad Hafiz Sulaiman, is equipped with a 1,590-liter Bambi Bucket designed for forest firefighting using the fire-bucket method.
“The use of helicopters is most effective for surface fires. Besides extinguishing flames, aerial assets are also deployed to create firebreaks and transport personnel and equipment to areas inaccessible by land,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
The aerial operation involves 13 crew members, comprising two flight engineers, five air quartermasters, four personnel from the Special Air Fire Service (PASKUB), and two bowsermen.
Mohd Ruzaidi said an initial aerial survey would be conducted to assess the current fire conditions and assist the operation commander in planning subsequent missions.
As of 7pm Tuesday, firefighting efforts had reached 50% completion, with responders successfully controlling and extinguishing approximately 49.8 hectares of the total 99.55-hectare affected area. No casualties have been reported.
The operation is supported by multiple agencies, including the police, Civil Defence Force (APM), Pengerang Municipal Council, Irrigation and Drainage Department, Public Works Department, and the Environment Department.
Dry and windy weather conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, while thick smoke drifted into nearby residential areas, severely disrupting daily life in Taman Bayu Damai. Firefighting efforts were further challenged by limited water sources and difficult terrain.
As of Wednesday morning, dense white smoke and a strong burning smell continued to blanket residential zones, causing breathing discomfort and reduced visibility.
A total of 153 victims from 50 families were evacuated to two temporary relief centers, the Taman Bayu Damai Multipurpose Hall and Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Kapal, as of 8am today.
On Tuesday, firefighting operations in Sector B focused on suppressing the blaze using a 500-foot hose line, supported by breaching work, nozzle jetting, and the construction of firebreaks. In Sector A, firefighters, assisted by APM personnel, were deployed in residential areas using mechanical and portable pumps, with water supplied from nearby fire hydrants.