Perlis Records 523 Open Burning Cases Since January - JBPM

KANGAR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Perlis recorded 523 open burning cases since January, said State Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Senior Fire Supt I Wan Mohd Hamizi Wan Mohd Zin.

Wan Mohd Hamizi said the figure, based on statistics from the Perlis JBPM Operations Centre (PGO), shows a significant increase compared to March last year, which recorded 162 cases.

"Open burning cases involve orchards, plantations, forests, bushes, grass and rubbish,” he said in a statement today.

He said the increase was partly due to the current hot weather in Perlis and advised the public not to discard cigarette butts indiscriminately, while ensuring their homes and farms are kept clean.

“We urge the public not to carry out open burning and to report any fire immediately to the 999 hotline,” he said.

Meanwhile, based on an update on the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (METMalaysia) official Facebook page today, as of 6 am, 16 areas in Peninsular Malaysia are under Level 1 (Alert) hot weather status, including Perlis.

-- BERNAMA