Fire dept warns against open burning ahead of drier days
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia braces for drier days ahead, the Fire and Rescue Department has issued a stern reminder against open burning.
Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said 3,791 open burning cases were recorded from January until last month.
Of the total, Kedah had the highest number of cases at 547, followed by Johor (468), Terengganu (384), Selangor (368), Perak (357) and Melaka (348).
'However, this is a 32% decrease across all states nationwide compared with the same period last year.
'The department takes a zero-tolerance stance towards open burning. We closely monitor the situation, especially during dry spells where humidity is low,' he said when contacted.
Nor Hisham said more than 500 open burning hotspots had also been identified nationwide during the same period, with Kedah having the highest number at 119.
Some 111 open burning hotspots were recorded in Sabah, followed by Selangor (84), Johor (45), Negri Sembilan (41), Terengganu (34), Sarawak (30), Penang (28), Perak (22), Labuan (14), Melaka (11), Pahang and Kelantan (10 each), Perlis (eight), Kuala Lumpur (four) and Putrajaya (one).
Hotspots are classified as locations where open burning has been reported thrice.
During dry spells, the department worked closely with the Environment Department, local councils and other authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Under the law, those convicted of open burning can be fined not exceeding RM500,000, imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.
'Our firefighters and resources are always ready for rapid deployment,' Nor Hisham said.
'Teams with specialised firefighting equipment are also deployed for tougher conditions like forest and peat fires, which are particularly challenging during dry weather,' he added.
He urged those who witness open burning to immediately report such cases to the authorities.
Nor Hisham said open burning episodes can easily escalate during the dry season, due to factors like dry vegetation and soil, wind speed, lack of moisture or uncontrolled flames.
'Safer disposal methods, such as composting or using waste management services, should be used instead,' he said.
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