Bestari Jaya Fire and Rescue Department deputy operations director Ayub Hasan said fires in over half of the landmass affected have been quelled after a gruelling two-week fire fight.

“This has been one of the worst peat soil fire incidences the department has seen since 2006. A crew of 40 from the various fire departments, Civil Defence Ministry (JPAM), Department of Environment and the Selangor Forestry Department have been working round the clock to quell the flames,” he said.

Though fires had previously been reported to be spreading into nearby forest areas, Ayub said the situation was contained after a total flooding operation by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) last week.

He said, however, that there are three hotspots within 3km from the land reserve that are still ablaze.

“It will be difficult for us to reach these areas without the proper equipment.

“The dry weather and strong winds also pose as a challenge to prevent the fires from starting again,” said Ayub, who added that the operation would take another two weeks to completely extinguish the peat soil fires.

The peat soil fires which began on July 31 is the biggest of four active wildfire situations in the state.

Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department information officer Azmi Majid said early investigations revealed that open burning caused the fire in Bestari Jaya. He advised the public to refrain from such activities.