KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Department of Environment (DOE) has warned the public against carrying out open burning after the air pollution index (API) in two districts here reached an unhealthy level.
As of yesterday, Kota Kinabalu and Kimanis stations have recorded API of over 100.
"This (unhealthy API) was caused by bush fires in several areas due to the current hot and dry weather," it said in a statement today.
Among the bush fires recorded were Bukit Indah Permai covering two hectares, Bukit Sepanggar (4ha), Kampung Kauluan in Tuaran (6ha), Kota Kinabalu's Institut Kemahiran Mara (6ha) and Taman Putera Perdana (6ha).
In Kimanis, peat fires were sighted along Jalan Bongawan-Kimanis-Papar.
The DOE added that no discounts would be given to compounds issued and advised the public to cut down on outdoor activities, stop all outdoor extracurricular activities for students as well as postpone all outdoor gatherings/sports.
Since the ban on open burning was enforced in January, the department said it had issued 42 warning letters, three order notices, nine compounds and opened three investigation papers.