More than 500 cases of open burning in 11 days

PETALING JAYA: Over 500 cases of open burning and forest and peat fires were recorded throughout the country in the past 11 days.

A check with the Fire and Rescue Department’s website showed 565 cases of open burning, forest fires and peat fires from Aug 31 till yesterday.

There were 17 cases of open burning, forest fires and peat fires recorded for yesterday and Wednesday with six cases in Selangor, five cases in Johor, three cases in Sarawak, two in Pahang and one in Sabah.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said based on investigations by the Department of Environment (DOE), 3,248 cases of open burning nationwide were detected up to Sept 8.

Of the number, 579 cases were open burning in forest areas, 1,162 in agricultural areas, 710 of small open burning, 624 in bush areas, 91 in landfill areas, 63 in construction areas and 19 in industrial areas.

“As for enforcement measures for the same period, compounds were issued for 215 cases of open burning.

“Notices were issued for 15 cases and directives for 41 cases.

“Investigation papers have also been prepared for 18 cases of open burning,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The haze is expected to travel across Pahang and Johor in the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, four places in Sarawak recorded deteriorating air quality yesterday, according to the DOE website.