KUANTAN: Up to 6,566 fire incidents were recorded at farms, forests, bush areas and rubbish dumps nationwide in the first two months of this year.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia’s (JBPM) director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid, most of the fires were sparked by human activity, which include improper disposal of cigarettes, careless dumping of gas canisters by picnickers, and deliberate small-scale open burning.
"However, in the current hot spell, any uncontrolled burning activity is prohibited, as it can also contribute to air pollution and haze.
"Our officers and staff nationwide have been instructed to be on the alert. The logistics and human resources at 16 operational centres nationwide are ready to handle open burning cases.
"The Air Unit is also all geared up. If needed, we can mobilise their services from bases in Subang, Selangor and Bertam, Melaka," Mohammad Hamdan told a press conference at the presentation of medals and excellent service awards at the Pahang JBPM headquarters here, today.
Also present were Pahang Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammad and his deputy Mohd Sani Harul.
Mohammad Hamdan said that as of March 17, 680 cases of open burning were detected in Pahang – constituting a rise of 262 per cent compared to the same period in 2018.
He said that Kuantan recorded the most number of cases of open burning at 321, followed by Pekan (152) and Temerloh (131).
Hamdan added that the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department activated its Haze Operation Room at the JBPM Pahang headquarters yesterday.
"Following that, the rotation of duties at all fire departments in three districts – namely Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin – involving nine stations, will be temporarily expanded from 12 hours to 24 hours, to increase on-duty staffing.
"Currently, 245 personnel are being assisted by 13 individuals from external agencies in putting out fires which were deliberately set in the three districts, including in forests in Permatang Nangka, Pulau Serai, Peramu; the Miang River forest; the Pekan Timur farm; the Nenasi-Rompin border forest in Bebar district; and the Pekan and Bukit Palas forests in Gebeng, Kuantan," Hamdan added.