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Air quality in Rompin has reached unhealthy levels as a 300-hectare oil palm plantation fire continues to burn
According to Bernama, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations and rescue Mohd Salahuddin Isa said about 60 hectares of the fire had been extinguished as of 5pm on Saturday, 28 March.
However, he said firefighters may still need up to a week to fully bring the blaze under control.
So far, 85 water-bombing runs using about 68,000 litres of water have been carried out to contain the fire
"The operation area has been divided into four sectors, with today's focus on sectors A and C, involving three teams, including the air unit conducting water-bombing operations.
"Sectors B and D are currently under control, and we expect the plantation fire to be fully extinguished within a week," he said when contacted on Sunday, 29 March.
Meanwhile, data from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index (API) Management System shows Rompin recording unhealthy air quality levels
As of 10am today, 30 March, the API reading in Rompin stood at 146.
Pahang Department of Environment director Zakaria Ahmad said checks will be conducted to determine whether the plantation fire or other factors contributed to the unhealthy API readings.
Four major fires broke out across Pahang last week amid ongoing hot and dry weather, affecting more than 1,000 hectares of land
These include:
– The 300-hectare oil palm plantation fire in Kampung Jemeri, Rompin
– 735 hectares of forest and plantation land burning in Nenasi, Pekan
– Two landfill fires in Gebeng, Kuantan affecting about 26 hectares combined
Firefighters, with help from plantation workers, are continuing efforts to contain the fires and prevent them from spreading further.
