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Johor Peat Fire in Pengerang Declared Extinguished as Evacuees Return

Officials plan continued monitoring to prevent flare-ups following days of aerial drops plus ground flooding.

Overview

  • The Kota Tinggi district disaster committee said the Jalan Sungai Kapal blaze, which spread across about 99.54 hectares after igniting on Jan 23, has been fully controlled and extinguished.
  • All 157 evacuees housed at two temporary relief centres in Taman Bayu Damai and SK Sungai Kapal were cleared to return home, with both centres closed at 10am on Jan 29.
  • Fire and rescue officials reported that large hotspots are out and that mop-up and surveillance operations remain underway to ensure smaller hotspots do not reignite.
  • The multi-agency response included a Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department Mi-17 helicopter from Subang using a 1,590‑litre Bambi Bucket, eight ground sprinkler systems, drone assessments and support from police, civil defence and irrigation authorities.
  • Authorities previously cited dry, windy conditions, smouldering peat, limited water sources, difficult terrain and private land access as key obstacles; smoke earlier affected parts of eastern Singapore, where air quality later returned to normal to moderate levels.