LUMUT: A forest fire broke out at Pulau Lalang near here today, destroying 1.2 hectares of forest.
Perak State Park Corporation manager Iylia Ainuddin said the fire was spotted about 11.30am, prompting the corporation to seek help from Bagan Sungai Burung fishermen .
"We also sought help from the Fire and Rescue Department and marine police and they managed to control the fire at about 4pm.
"They had to use the water bombing technique to put out the fire as some of the affected areas are inaccessible by foot," she said when contacted today.
She said the corporation was relieved when firefighters managed to control the fire before it spread to nearby tourism facilities.
Iylia said preliminary investigation revealed that the dry and hot weather could have caused the fire.
"However, the authorities did not rule out the possibility that the fire was triggered by a cigarette butt thrown by a smoker," she said.
Located off Pulau Pangkor, Pulau Lalang is part of Pulau Sembilan state park and is a favourite spot among anglers.