Hot Weather Among Factors Contributing To Rise In Open Burning Cases In Four States

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Prolonged hot weather conditions have been identified as one of the contributors to the increase in open burning cases in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Sarawak.

In KEDAH, 3,779 fires were recorded from January to today, peaking in March with 1,246 cases, said the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Control Centre.

“The dry and hot weather has triggered a chain of bushfires, pushing our operational capacity to the maximum level.

“However, the number of bushfires dropped drastically this month, possibly due to the transition to rainy weather and the effectiveness of early operational control. The fire department’s focus has shifted from firefighting operations to rescue response,” it added today.

In KELANTAN, the state JBPM recorded 1,478 open burning cases from January until yesterday, with the highest number being forest fires (1,175 cases), followed by farm fires (160 cases), bushfires (108 cases) and garbage fires (35 cases).

It said that 2,743 emergency calls were recorded in the first four months of this year, with fire-related incidents accounting for the highest number at 2,358 cases, followed by rescue and humanitarian service calls (395 cases) and special duties (16 cases).

“March had the highest number of emergency calls at 1,092 cases, of which 982 were fire-related calls,” it added.

In PERLIS, 656 open burning cases were recorded from January until yesterday, with 613 of them involving bushes and grass, farms and plantations (23), garbage (16) and forest (four), said state JBPM director, Senior Fire Officer I Wan Mohd Hamizi Wan Mohd Zin. 

As such, he advised the public not to carry out open burning, not to discard cigarette butts indiscriminately and to keep residential and farm areas clean. 

In SARAWAK, state JBPM director Jamri Masran said they have identified several hotspots, especially peat soil and agricultural areas.

“Miri is the worst hit, especially around Kuala Baram, Lutong, Permyjaya and Bekenu. Other hotspot areas include Sibu (Jalan Oya, Sungai Bidut, Salim), Bintulu (Samalaju, Tatau) and Mukah (Dalat, Oya),” he said.

Jamri said that from January to April 24, 709 open burning cases were recorded in the state, involving 1,121.2 hectares, with the highest number in Miri at 256 cases (321 hectares), followed by Sibu (179 cases, 336 hectares).

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the current hot and dry weather conditions are contributing to an increased risk of fire incidents.

MetMalaysia deputy director-general (Operations) Ambung Dindang said the combination of high air temperatures and low relative humidity makes it easier for fires to occur and spread quickly.

He said that based on current projections, most areas in the country are expected to experience reduced rainfall at slightly below normal to below normal levels.

“This situation is expected to be more pronounced in the western part of Sarawak, with a more consistent reduction in rainfall compared to other areas, especially from June to August in line with the Southwest Monsoon.

“As such, areas experiencing continuous rainfall reduction could face a higher risk of fires,” he said. 

According to Ambun, the low humidity makes conditions drier, allowing fires to start and spread more easily, and urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid any open burning activities.

-- BERNAMA