BATU KAWAN: The Fire and Rescue Department recorded 3,054 cases of open burning last month alone, almost double the numbers recorded in January.
In January, there were 1,936 open burning cases nationwide.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said with the extreme drought, which was far worse than last year, all its operations centres nationwide have been activated and personnel placed on standby.
He said they have also placed on alert their air units in Subang, Sibu and Bertam.
He said the drought situation in the Peninsular was more serious than that in Sabah and Sarawak.
“We expect the drought to prolong until April. What worries us is the annual haze, as open burning from our neighbouring country will further aggravate the situation.
“As such, we are constantly monitoring the situation on the ground and advise all to refrain from open burning, unless with proper supervision,” he told newsmen.
He was met after presenting awards to long-serving firefighters in the state as well as those who had served with distinction.
Present was Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar.
There were a total of 16,550 open burning cases the whole of last year.
Hamdan said the department would also work with other relevant agencies to coordinate their operations to optimise the machineries.
“We may also deploy personnel from other states to help out if the need arises,” he said.