KUANTAN: Some 35ha of forest and peat land at Bukit Palas near Cherating here has been burning since Monday.
Thick smoke enveloped the area as firemen worked around the clock to prevent the blaze from spreading to other nearby areas.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department chief Nor Hisham Mohammed said fire had destroyed some 25ha while another 10ha was still burning.
"The department is using drones to monitor the situation on the ground, including the wind direction and new fire sites. We are trying to identify new access routes to get close to the fire spot.
"Since fire trucks cannot get close to the fire spot, we have to rely on groundwater sources, Two portable water pumps are being used to fight the forest fires," he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said a 4ha plantation near Pulau Rumpun, Pekan, was also affected by forest fires since Sunday.
He said firemen along with 10 plantation workers have been using portable water pumps to keep the fire under control.