Pekan: As of 7 pm yesterday, the fire in over 173 hectares of peat forest in Kampung Tanjung Batu, Nenasi, Pekan, had been successfully extinguished. The fire, which began on Monday, has affected approximately 760 hectares of the 2,000-hectare area, said Mohd Salahuddin Isa, deputy director of Operations and Rescue, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, firefighting efforts are continuing on the remaining areas, covering around 586 hectares. One of the main challenges is restricted access to the fire sites, which hampers the movement of equipment. Meanwhile, firefighters have brought under control more than 18 hectares of a 292-hectare palm oil plantation fire in Kampung Jemeri, Kuala Rompin, which started on March 23.

Efforts are underway to accelerate the firefighting operations. Plans are in place to use helicopter water bombing for both the Rompin and Pekan fires, and the request for aircraft has already been submitted. Additionally, Mohd Salahuddin reported that 110 open-burning cases were recorded between March 18 and yesterday, with Kuantan and Pekan recording the highest number of incidents. Notably, yesterday marked the peak, with 22 cases reported within 24 hours, most involving scrubland near residential areas and along road edges.