KUANTAN: The peat soil fires which have torn through some 130ha of coconut plantation near the Kuantan-Sungai Ular bypass stretch here continues to spread, raging through a forest section in the vicinity.

Firefighters, who have been working tirelessly to contain the massive blaze at the coconut farm since Feb 22, now face a daunting task to enter the forest as there are no access routes to the location.

A Mil Mi-17 helicopter which has been tasked with dropping water buckets at the burning site in the farm was today deployed to ferry firemen to douse the fire at the forest section.

Gebeng Fire and Rescue station chief Zahidah Ali, who is leading the operation, said they received information today that the nearby forest area had caught fire and the only way to reach the spot is by air.

"There are no access routes to the fire location either by foot or for vehicles so we have sent firemen using a helicopter. The helicopter landing zone is located about 600m from the burning site.

"The water pumps and fire hose were sent using a helicopter. We (firemen) had to carry the equipment to a water source in the vicinity to set up the pumps to bring the fire under control," she said when contacted today.

As the fire on the coconut farm enters its 13th day, Zahidah said it is now under control.

"Since the fire has spread towards the forest section, we have divided our manpower to be deployed at both locations," she said.

Zahidah said the lack of access routes to reach the fire site earlier had forced the department to deploy excavators to create a pathway.

"The narrow and bumpy red soil roads allowed firemen to bring the water pump and fire hose to get closer to the fire sites. We had to also temporarily cover a ditch with soil to allow our vehicles to pass through or else we will be forced to carry the equipment for several hundred metres," she said.

When asked if the wildfires were caused by human activities or the hot climate, Zahidah said the matter was still under investigation.

The coconut farm fire has not only devastated the trees but also significantly worsened air quality, causing haze in parts of the town yesterday.

The forest fire caught the attention of the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who ordered all outdoor activities in the nearby areas to be suspended.

Pahang Department of Environment (DoE) director Wandi Yadzid Yaakob said that based on findings from the Fire and Rescue Department, the cause of the fire remains unknown.

"Investigations have been carried out to determine the source, including the possibility of cigarette butts or open burning. However, the Fire and Rescue Department has yet to find any clues," he said.