KUANTAN: The Fire and Rescue Department has deployed a helicopter to douse the raging peatland fires in Rompin.
Its director Datuk Dr Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa said besides the Agusta helicopter flying multiple missions, 10 firemen from the department's special unit were also despatched to put out the burning soil.
"The firemen were lowered by the helicopter to the affected peat soil area to assist in efforts on the ground. We expect it will take between two and three days to completely extinguish the fire.
"A huge area, dry weather and strong winds are posing a challenge for firemen in Rompin. But heavy rain on Thursday has helped to ease the effort at certain spots," he said yesterday.
Wan Mohammad Zaidi said another downpour had also completely doused the wildfires reported around Kuantan.
This resulted in the Mi-17 helicopter, which was initially deployed to assist in firefighting in Gebeng and Inderapura here, returning to its air base in Subang, Selangor.
"The operation in Kuantan was led by Assistant Fire Superintendent Amir Fitri Salim, who conducted aerial surveillance yesterday to check for any potential wildfire incidents before returning to Subang," said Wan Mohammad Zaidi.
Amir Fitri said the firefighting operation in Gebeng was supposed to begin after Aidilfitri prayers on Wednesday, but could not commence due to poor weather.
"However, the heavy rain had also completely doused the fire in Gebeng and Inderapura, and when we inspected both the areas, the flames were completely out and there was no smoke," he said.
The prolonged dry season has engulfed peatlands and plantations in Kuantan and Rompin for more than 10 days.