SEPANG, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Peat fires, reportedly caused by open burninglast Friday, are threatening to destroy three oil palm plantations nearthe KL International Airport (KLIA) here Tuesday.

By 1pm today, pockets of fire were spotted in the Tailong KLIA plantation,belonging to Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB), Labu Lanjut plantation andUlu Chucur plantation.

Operations chief at the KLIA Fire and Rescue Station, Zahari Hamat met byreports at the Tailong plantation, said firemen had to work in groups toput out peat fires spread out over an area of about 170 hectares.

However, A spokesman of MAB, when contacted, said the peat fires did notjeopardise the airport's operation.

A Bernama reporter at the scene saw a large area near the airport coveredin black smoke.

Zahari said the peat fires in Labu Lanjut plantation had destroyed some 20hectares of oil palm trees and threatening to burn another 70 hectares oftrees.

With the current dry weather and fanned by strong winds, the peat firesspread in no time, he said.

He said 21 firemen from KLIA and Seri Kembangan stations were deployed tofight the fire at the Tailong plantation.

The operation was halted tonight and would be resumed tomorrow, he said.-- BERNAMA