Firefighting teams are working to control two large-scale fires at oil palm plantations in Pahang, with one blaze covering 150 hectares in Nenasi

NENASI: Firefighters are battling a major blaze that has engulfed a 150-hectare oil palm plantation here since yesterday.

The Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) deputy director Wan Ahmad Fadillah Wan Abdul Rahman said operations are ongoing to fully extinguish the fire at the 500-hectare estate.

“So far, 48 hectares have been extinguished, with firefighting operations divided into two teams,” he said in a statement today.

He explained that teams are using a portable pump with two 300-foot hose streams drawing from open water sources.

A request for assistance from the JBPM Air Unit has been submitted to accelerate efforts due to limited site access.

The department is also fighting a separate fire at a plantation in Kampung Jemeri, Kuala Rompin.

That blaze, covering about 292 hectares, has entered its second day.

“So far, 6.07 hectares have been extinguished, while the remaining is estimated at around 286 hectares,” Wan Ahmad Fadillah said.

The operation there uses a portable pump with a 600-foot hose and two water streams.

Overall, the operations involve 28 personnel from the Nenasi and Kuala Rompin Fire and Rescue Stations.

They are supported by assets including Light Fire Rescue Tender vehicles, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and support lorries.

“So far, no casualties have been reported and firefighting operations continue,” he said.

The fire in both locations is reported to be gradually coming under control.

He advised the public not to conduct open burning and to report fire incidents immediately via the 999 emergency hotline.

 The Sun Malaysia