Peat fire smoke from Johor has not reached S'pore: M'sia authorities

The Malaysian authorities said that smoke from peatland fires in Johor is under control and has not reached Singapore's airspace.

The Johor Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department's (JBPM) deputy director said on Jan. 28, 2026 that this was confirmed during a State Disaster Committee meeting the day before, according to New Straits Times.

He also expressed concern that "if it does, it could affect diplomatic relations", and that they are "doing [their] best to prevent this".

The update comes as JBPM is closely monitoring smoke movement from a peatland fire at Jalan Sungai Kapal, Taman Bayu Damai, Bernama reported.

It added that the agency will continue to do so, and reiterated that smoke from three Pengerang fire sites is under control.

Smoke plumes

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a Jan. 28 Facebook post that at least one hotspot has been detected in Johor.

Given the prevailing northerly and northeasterly winds, smoke plumes from persistent fires may drift toward Singapore, it said.

This could lead to haze in Singapore.

But the anticipated return of wet weather this weekend should help suppress hotspots and alleviate any smoke haze.

As of 6pm on Jan. 28, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remained between 42 and 55, within the Good to Moderate range.

On Jan. 24, haze levels in eastern Singapore were "slightly elevated" as residents reported a burning smell.

NEA noted that this was likely due to haze that had drifted over from a Johor hotspot.

Fire sites extinguished, evacuation

As of Jan. 28, three fire sites were identified in Johor's Pengerang, said JBPM's deputy director.

Two have since been extinguished.

Aerial operations, which include MI-17 helicopters for water bombing, were activated to help put out the fire, reduce smoke, and limit its spread beyond the area.

In addition, firefighting operations used fire breaks and flooding to contain the blaze while monitoring smoke.

Prior to this, the ongoing peat fire in the Punggai area in Kota Tinggi expanded to 99.54 hectares on Jan. 27, according to Bernama.

Local fire and rescue officers attended to the fire.

Top photos from Aznan Tamin/Facebook, NEA/Facebook