Johor Peat Fire: Thick Smoke Disrupts Pengerang Residents’ Lives

KOTA TINGGI, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- The peatland fire in Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang, which has been raging since last weekend, has disrupted residents’ daily lives as thick plumes of smoke blanketed residential areas, causing breathing difficulties and reduced visibility.

Checks by Bernama at the scene found that areas around Jalan Langkah Baik 3, Taman Bayu Damai, remain affected by dense white smoke and a strong burning smell.

The smoke has made breathing difficult and limited visibility to about 150 metres, disrupting daily activities and raising concerns among residents.

Firefighters from the Punggai and Sungai Rengit fire and rescue stations, along with personnel from the Civil Defence Force (APM), were also seen actively carrying out firefighting operations around Jalan Langkah Baik 3.

Imam of Masjid Al Hijrah Taman Bayu Damai, Abdul Rahim Padimin, 65, said the fire, which broke out about 50 metres from his home, has worsened since Sunday, forcing him and his family to relocate to the Taman Bayu Damai Multipurpose Hall temporary evacuation centre (PPS) for safety.

“At first, I thought it was a small fire, but it spread and the smoke became thicker due to strong winds. The situation worsened on Sunday when the smoke reduced visibility to just about 50 metres,” he said when met at the PPS here today.

He added that his daughter, who had just given birth and is still in confinement, had to be moved with her family to her brother-in-law’s house in Lorong 2, Kampung Sungai Kapal, which was considered safer and unaffected by the haze.

Areas along Jalan Langkah Baik 1, 2 and 3 are among the worst affected as they are close to the source of the fire, with flames seen spreading in areas filled with fern shrubs, tall grass and forest vegetation that are highly flammable.

Meanwhile, Jalan Langkah Baik 3 resident Fuad Daud, 57, said he and his family were forced to move to the PPS last Saturday.

“The smoke was extremely thick, making it hard to breathe, causing eye irritation and a strong smell of smoke. Even when doors and windows were closed, smoke still seeped into the house, endangering our family’s health,” he said, adding that this was the worst incident to hit the area since 2013.

Taman Bayu Damai Village Development and Security Committee secretary Ishak Moksan, 62, said the committee immediately issued warnings and made announcements for residents to evacuate to the PPS when the situation deteriorated last Saturday.

According to him, more than 250 residents were affected.

He said the peatland soil remains capable of retaining embers beneath the surface, increasing the risk of recurring fires and necessitating continuous monitoring by the authorities.

As of noon, 124 victims from 45 families have been evacuated to two PPS — the Taman Bayu Damai Multipurpose Hall and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Kapal — following the peatland fire covering about 12 hectares.

-- BERNAMA