20140209 Malaysia 16 Hectares Of Mangrove Forest Razed In Fire
Malaysia Feb 09 2014 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
16 Hectares Of Mangrove Forest Razed In Fire
Updated: 2014-02-09-12:00
DUNGUN, Feb 9 (Bernama) — The mangrove forest fire in Tok Kah, near here, is getting worse as the fire has spread and destroyed an area of 16 hectares.
It is deemed to be the worst in the state’s history.
The fire which has been burning since Jan 26 at first destroyed an area of two hectares, but the hot weather and windy conditions have slowed down the operation to extinguish the fire, making residents fear it will spread to their homes.
A Bernama check in Dungun found the area around Rantau Abang, about 13 kilometres from the location of the fire, engulfed in smoke, affecting the health of the public.
A senior citizen, Suri Dollah, 72, said most people did not know about the fire and were thinking the bad air condition was caused by haze.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Zone 2 Fire and Rescue Assistant Superintendent Zailani Abdullah said about 60 fire-fighters from the Kemaman, Dungun, Marang and Kuala Terengganu stations were involved in the fire-fighting operation.
“The fire-fighters are facing extreme difficulty in fighting the blaze owing to the lack of water and limited access roads,” he said.
The fire was believed to have started for land clearing by irresponsible individuals and fire-fighters believe the fire will be brought fully under control in a week’s time.
— BERNAMA
Websource:bernama
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/newsindex.php?id=1013107