No open burning during dry spell, Sabah Bomba reminds the public

KOTA KINABALU: Members of the public are reminded not to conduct open burning or any activities that can lead to this as the state is currently experiencing a dry spell and forest and bush fires are growing rampant.

The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, in sharing the statistics of fire incidents at forests, bushes and farms and plantation lands, said the public can report such incidents to them or the Environmental Department (DOE).

According to their data derived from fire stations in the state, bush fires have increased to 196 cases this month until Friday (Feb 23) compared to 40 cases in January, while 52 reports of forest fires were registered this month, up from 24 cases recorded the month before.

There were six cases of fires starting from farms and plantations to date this month, while nine cases were recorded in January.

“These blazes may be caused by extreme heat from the dry spell, as well as deliberate fires for land clearing,” a Bomba spokesman said.

According to the law, those found guilty of open burning can be compounded up to RM2,000 for each offence, fined up to RM500,000 or jailed up to five years, or both, said Sabah Bomba.