Johor authorities say Kota Tinggi fire 'brought under control'; NEA detects hotspot in Johor
The peatland fire in Taman Bayu Damai township, which started on Jan 23, has been brought under control, said the Johor authorities on Thursday (Jan 29). AsiaOne reported on Wednesday that firebreak techniques, such as flooding to contain the fire, and the involvement of helicopters have led to fires across 54.63ha, or 54.8 per cent of the affected area, being extinguished.[[nid:728981]]Johor fire and rescue department deputy director Muhammad Al Mustakim Abdul Hady said on Thursday that the fire has been successfully brought under control. «Firefighters are working to ensure that any remaining small fires are fully extinguished to prevent them from spreading,» he said. Separately, Kota Tinggi district management committee chairman Miswan Yunus said the authorities have allowed all evacuees, who were housed at two temporary relief centres, to return to their homes. «The peat fire along Jalan Sungai Kapal near Taman Bayu Damai has been fully controlled and extinguished, while Air Pollutant Index readings in affected residential areas have dropped to normal levels,» he reportedly said in a statement.