SHAH ALAM, 8 Dec: The Selangor government will spend RM1.04 million to buy the latest technology to put out open fires involving peat, Peat Firex, to ensure that it can be controlled earlier before spreading widely.
The technology from the United States is said to be able to control open peat fires more effectively compared to the conventional method which is commonly used by fire-fighters in the state.
The Exco for Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs, Elizabeth Wong, said that Selangor is the first state to use technology that uses powder and water mix to overcome peat fires, thus ensuring the success of the 2015 zero open fire campaign.
“This time, we are taking early steps starting this year. We have begun to hold discussions regarding the issue of open fires towards the success of the 2015 zero open fire (campaign).
“We are the first in Malaysia. Through this method, we only need to spray the mixture on the fire to prevent the fire from spreading compared to the current method which uses a lot of water to flood the site of the fire.
“For the current method, when there is an open fire, fire-fighters prepare to camp out for up to two months. But this method takes a shorter time,” Elizabeth said during the launch of the Peat Firex Product and System Launching Ceremony at the Silver Jubilee Hall, Selangor State Government Secretary (SUK) Building this afternoon.
She said that the special powder mixture and water will be mixed by using a special machine in advance and it can be operated in a shorter time, with the optimal use of manpower.
She said that the mixture purchased is expected to be sufficient to be used for about five years.
NS
