Fire Dept Focuses On Forest Fire Near Two Schools In Kuala Abang

DUNGUN, April 26 (Bernama) -- Firefighting operations at a peat swamp forest fire in Kampung Baru, Kuala Abang, are being focused on areas near two schools today to ensure that classes can proceed as usual.

Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) operations commander Kasyfi Syahmi Ghazali said priority was given to the areas due to concerns over student safety and the potential disruption to the learning environment caused by thick smoke.

He said the two schools are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Baru Kuala Abang and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Kuala Abang.

He added that the forest fire, which began last Wednesday, has blanketed the village in thick smoke, affecting visibility and air quality in the surrounding areas.

“The firefighting operation area has been divided into three sectors, with focus today on areas near SMK Agama Kuala Abang and SK Kampung Baru Kuala Abang,” he said when met by reporters at the location in Kampung Baru, Kuala Abang here today.

Kasyfi said the fire involved a forest area spanning 34 hectares, with most of it already extinguished, while about six hectares, or 20 per cent, are still being put out.

He said the fire is expected to be fully extinguished within the next three days, depending on weather conditions, including wind direction and the source of the fire.

“Today, a total of 90 firefighters, along with local residents and other agencies, are involved in the firefighting operation,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the use of a helicopter for water-bombing operations in areas that are difficult for ground teams to access, which had been deployed since Friday, has been temporarily suspended today, depending on operational conditions.

-- BERNAMA