Penang Fire and Rescue Department conducts drone surveillance at Penang Botanical Gardens to prevent flare-ups after an eight-hectare forest fire.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Fire and Rescue Department is conducting continuous monitoring at the Penang Botanical Gardens fire site. This surveillance aims to ensure no remaining flames or embers could spark a repeat blaze following yesterday’s incident.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah confirmed the fire had been extinguished. Monitoring via drones and regular observations by firefighters will continue as a precaution.
“This monitoring is important to ensure that if a fire occurs again, extinguishing operations can be carried out immediately,” he told reporters at the location on Jalan Kebun Bunga.
He added the monitoring covers not only the burnt area but the entire forest on Bukit Bendera. The location is among 28 forest fire hotspots identified in Penang.
Since yesterday, the fire has burned approximately eight hectares of land. This is part of the total 91-hectare Island Forest Reserve on Bukit Bendera.
A fire control centre has been established at the location to coordinate any required extinguishing operations quickly. The forest fire began at 6.20 pm yesterday and was brought under control by 9.30 pm.
It was completely extinguished at 10.50 pm last night. The eight-hectare firefighting operation was divided into three sectors for management.
Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera Cable Car Project director Muhammad Rizal Muhammad Samadi said the fire area did not involve the project’s cable line. He noted the blaze was located not far from the construction area.
His department is also conducting continuous monitoring to ensure safety aspects are guaranteed. The goal is to ensure the project continues to run smoothly.
