20130620 Malaysia Agricultural Activities Source Of Forest Fire In Johan Setia
Malaysia Jun 20 2013 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Agricultural Activities Source Of Forest Fire In Johan Setia
Updated: 2013-06-25-18:41
KLANG, June 25 (Bernama) — Fire at a 6.41 hectare farm in Taman Johan Setia, here, since Thursday was believed to have been started by farmers involved in agricultural activities in the area.
Andalas Fire and Rescue Department officer Masdar Suminggu said the incident affected four sectors while fire at three sectors was still burning.
“Since Thursday, we have been carrying out operations round the clock to control burning in peat soil and to date, have managed to completely extinguish the flame in one sector,” he said when met by the media at the location of the fire, here, today.
He said the department faced a shortage of water at the location and had to pump water from a drain to put out the fire adding that the focus of the operation now was to douse small fire spots in the forest.
A team of 15 firemen, assisted by the fire fighting unit of the Klang Municipality as well as an generator to pump water, he said.
Meanwhile, Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said the Selangor Department of Environment had opened 12 investigation papers to charge 12 land owners involved in burning activities in their land.
She said the Selangor DOE was still conducting investigations with the Klang District Land Office to identify the owners involved to seize their land for failing to manage them well.
“This is the state policy two years ago where those who failed to manage their land well will face action,” she said.
Wong said the owners identified will be charged under the Environment Quality Act which carries a penalty of up to RM500,000 or five years jail.
— BERNAMA
Websource:BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/newsindex.php?id=958792
Date:2013-06-25
Country:Malaysia