About 50ha of the South Kuala Langat Forest Reserve have been destroyed in an ongoing fire, said Selangor Fire and Rescue Department.
So far, firefighters have extinguished nearly 50% of the fire while taking measures to control the blaze from spreading.
The peat forest fire was burning for at least five days before it was reported to the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department on February 28.
Peat soil is formed from accumulated organic matter derived from dead and decaying plant materials in water saturated conditions.
However, during the dry season, peat soil easily catches fire and is difficult to stop as the fire spreads through an underground peat layer.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department has assigned 93 staff members and 59 from other agencies to control the fire. It took them 10 days to control the fire.
Peat forest is crucial to the environment as it serves as carbon sinks.
The Kuala Langat forest also has a unique wetlands ecosystem that supports rare species of flora and fauna, being biologically diverse and a freshwater resource. – March 4, 2020.
Section 27 of the forest reserve is the most badly affected area. Some 10ha have been destroyed in the fire. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.A Forestry Department officer checking a map during his survey of the Kuala Langat forest. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.Firefighters trying to stop the fire that has destroyed 50ha of the forest reserve in Kuala Langat, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.A firefighter pulls a water hose to an area affected by peat fire in Kuala Langat. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.A lorry parked at the fringe of the Kuala Langat forest reserve that has been destroyed by fire. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.A bird’s nest safe from the fire that destroyed the surrounding areas in the Kuala Langat forest reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.Firefighters pumping water from a canal that also functions as a firebreaker at the south Kuala Langat forest reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.A fire department officer assigning tasks before going into the affected forest areas. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.A firefighter putting out burning peat soil at a dragon fruit farm at the fringe of the forest reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.Firefighters in a pick-up truck heading to the command centre. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.An area of the forest reserve covered in smoke as the peat fire burns. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 4, 2020.
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