Latest news with #ZahidahAli
The Sun
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Firefighters monitor Kuantan landfill blaze 24/7 to prevent spread
KUANTAN: The Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is maintaining 24-hour surveillance at the Jerangau-Jabor landfill fire site in Mukim Sungai Karang to prevent further spread. Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station chief Zahidah Ali confirmed the blaze, spanning nearly one hectare, was contained by 5.30 pm yesterday. A team of 40 personnel, working in shifts, continues monitoring to safeguard high-risk areas, including gas pipelines, electrical substations, and underground fibre optic cables located five to eight metres from the fire. 'We created firebreaks, and the risk of spread remains low,' Zahidah told reporters. Stakeholders are collaborating to reinforce containment efforts. Challenges include extreme heat, though crews adhere to safety protocols with PPE. Thick smoke reduced visibility for motorists, prompting contractors to cover the landfill with soil to mitigate emissions. The fire's cause remains under investigation, with hot weather suspected as a factor. The Department of Environment reported unhealthy API levels in Balok Baru (139) and Kemaman yesterday, improving to moderate (96) by 3 pm today. - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Fire and Rescue Dept conducting 24-hour monitoring at Kuantan landfill fire site
KUANTAN: 24-hour monitoring will be conducted to prevent the fire at the Jerangau-Jabor landfill site in Mukim Sungai Karang here from spreading, says the Fire and Rescue Department. Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station chief Zahidah Ali said her team successfully brought the blaze, which covered an area of nearly one hectare, under control by 5.30pm on Monday (July 21). She said further monitoring would be conducted by 40 officers who have been assigned two-shift duties at the site, as the area was located between five and eight metres from high-risk locations such as gas pipelines, electrical substations, and underground fibre optic cables. "When we started operations, we continued to create firebreaks, and the risk of the fire spreading to the relevant areas was low. Additionally, stakeholders also took joint action to carry out monitoring work to prevent the fire from spreading," she said when met by reporters on Tuesday (July 22). She said that among the challenges in the operation was the hot weather. A Bernama survey found that thick smoke also enveloped the area and disrupted visibility for road users in the area. Zahidah said that the cause of the incident was still under investigation. However, the possibility that it was caused by the weather has not been ruled out. On Monday, the Environment Department announced that the fire caused unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Balok Baru, Kuantan, and Kemaman, Terengganu. Balok Baru continued to record an unhealthy API reading of 139 at 8am on Tuesday. This decreased to a moderate reading of 96 as of 3pm. – Bernama
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Kuantan landfill fire controlled after 26-hour operation
KUANTAN: The fire at the Jerangau-Jabor landfill in Mukim Sungai Karang has been brought under control after a 26-hour operation. Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station chief Zahidah Ali confirmed the blaze was contained by 5.30 pm today, though smoke persists at the site. Twelve personnel remain stationed overnight to monitor the situation. 'The affected area is now only filled with smoke, and work to cover the burning rubbish with soil will continue to prevent thick ash from escaping the rubbish heap,' Zahidah said. Contractors will continue soil-covering operations late into the night. The fire, spanning one hectare, began yesterday afternoon. Firefighters responded within 10 minutes of receiving the emergency call at 3.46 pm. The Department of Environment noted unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Balok Baru, Kuantan, and Kemaman due to the blaze. - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Kuantan landfill fire under control
KUANTAN: The fire at the Jerangau-Jabor landfill in Mukim Sungai Karang here, which broke out yesterday, was brought under control at about 5.30 pm on Monday (July 21). Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station chief Zahidah Ali said monitoring efforts are still ongoing, with 12 personnel stationed at the scene on Monday night. "The affected area is now only filled with smoke, and work to cover the burning rubbish with soil will continue to prevent thick ash from escaping the rubbish heap. "The work will be carried out by the contractor until late tonight and the fire brigade will continue to monitor the location," she said in a statement. Zahidah informed that the extinguishing operation involving an area of about one hectare began after the team received an emergency call at 3.46pm on Sunday (July 20), arriving at the scene about 10 minutes later. Earlier, the Department of Environment reported that the fire at the landfill had caused unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Balok Baru, Kuantan and Kemaman in Terengganu. – Bernama
