By DayakDaily Team
BETONG, Aug 22: An estimated 30 hectares of peatland and land formerly used for oil palm cultivation along Jalan Bungin, Serembang, here, were engulfed by fire this afternoon.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said it received a report of the fire at about 2.44pm today, prompting personnel from the Betong Fire and Rescue Station to respond.
The team arrived at about 3.15pm, travelling 37 kilometres to the location.
Upon arrival, firefighters found that the fire involved an area of former oil palm plantation and peatland estimated at 30 hectares.
Firefighting operations were still ongoing as of 5pm, with six firefighters deployed using one fire and rescue tender.
Bomba said difficult, narrow access routes hampered the operation, and no water source was available at the location.
Poor Global Information and Navigation Radio System (GIRN) coverage and weak mobile phone connectivity also posed communication challenges for the team. — DayakDaily
