Open Burning: Pahang Fire Dept Received 82 Calls In January

KUANTAN, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- The Pahang Fire and Rescue Department received 82 calls regarding open burning last month, compared to just nine cases during the same period last year.

Its director, Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim, said these cases involved forest, bush and rubbish fires.

"In January 2025, we did not receive any calls about forest fires, but last month, we had seven cases. We also had 65 cases of bushfires and 10 rubbish fires last month,” he told a media conference here today after the department's annual gathering, which also saw 10 media practitioners receiving appreciation certificates.

With strong winds increasing the risks of fires spreading fast, farm operators are advised not to carry out any burning.

Mohd Razam said they have also identified eight fire hotspots in Pahang, one each in Pekan and Bentong and six in Temerloh, adding that they have stepped up monitoring and patrolling activities.

In conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Syawal celebrations, he urged traders and the public to store sparklers and firecrackers in safe places, and to be careful when playing with fireworks.

He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children's activities when playing with sparklers and firecrackers to avoid injuries and untoward incidents.

-- BERNAMA