Two Johor firefighters, Siti Hajar Sanusi and Nur Fitrah Syuhada, share the challenges of containing a nine-hectare peatland fire in Simpang Renggam.
KLUANG: Two female firefighters provided crucial strength in the operation to contain a major peatland fire at a Simpang Renggam plantation.
The fire had spread across more than nine hectares of pineapple and oil palm land.
Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Zone 3 head Siti Hajar Sanusi oversaw the strategic operation from the frontlines.
Siti Hajar, who took charge of the zone in 2023, said this was the largest peatland fire operation she had conducted.
Her responsibilities included determining firefighting methods and tackling challenges like sourcing adequate water.
“People may think being a leader is easy, but to me, it is a huge responsibility that must be shouldered diligently,” she said.
She explained that peatland fires are uniquely demanding, as embers can repeatedly flare up in the same spot.
Hot, dry weather, strong winds, dust, and smoke compounded the difficulty, requiring days of careful monitoring.
The mother of three revealed that becoming a firefighter was not her initial career choice.
“When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a teacher. But after trying a few times and not getting it, I accepted that luck plays its part,” Siti Hajar said.
She emphasised that a firefighting career demands constant readiness and irregular hours.
Meanwhile, firefighter Nur Fitrah Syuhada Asmayor, 23, described the physical endurance required.
She said extinguishing peatland fires meant staying in one location for very long periods.
This was her first major peatland fire operation after joining the department in November 2024.
“Extinguishing peatland fires is different as it requires work over several days and hours spent on the embers,” Nur Fitrah said.
The team ensured each area was completely extinguished before moving to the next, a process taking multiple days.
