JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Johor recorded 1,443 incidents of open burning in the state during the first two months of this year.
Its director Datuk Yahaya Madis said of that, 141 cases involved forest fires; 879 (bush); 188 (farms); and 235 (trash).
"In terms of size, the fire had destroyed 824 hectares of land," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
Yahaya added throughout last year and 2017, about 100,000 hectares of land were destroyed due to 4,050 fire cases reported.
"The fire incidences involved 315 forest areas; 357 farms; 2,472 bush; and 866 trash. Most of the fires occurred at 30 'hotspots' (hotspots) in Johor Baru, Kluang, Muar, Pasir Gudang and Penawar (Kota Tinggi), "he said.
In this regard, he advised the public not to burn rubbish or tires in the open, as well as burning farm waste when clearing up their farm during the dry and hot weather.
"Normally, these can cause fire. When it gets out of control, it will spread and not easy to contain because of such factors as land type and the presence of wind. So, I advise them not to burn things indiscriminately in the open, "he added.
On another development, Yahaya said total of 1,200 firefighters had been instructed to stay on the alert at all time.
In addition, selected fire stations had been equipped with facilities such as vans and four-wheel drive vehicles so that portable water pumps could be brought into areas that are not easy to pass through.
"Through past experience, most of the difficult areas are farms because of the earth surface. Thus, instead of large equipment, we are using small vehicles such as vans and four-wheel drives instead to carry portable water pumps. This will make firefighting much easier, "he added. - BERNAMA