KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded 961 cases wild fire incidents in forests as well as on farm and plantation lands to date since the start of this year, said Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Razak Muda.
Sharing the statistics due to the ongoing dry season experienced in the state, the Department also recorded 41 incidents of such open fires state-wide on Wednesday (March 13) alone.
The Department last month had issued a reminder to public that no open burning were allowed during the dry spell to avoid forest and bush fires that are growing rampant due to the weather.
"Based on the cumulate figures from January 1 this year until March 13, Tuaran district recorded the highest number of such cases at 207, followed by Kota Belud (136 cases)," he said.
Earlier on Wednesday (March 13), Papar district officer Mohd Fuad Abdullah who chaired the district disaster management committee announced that a drought emergency had been declared in that district, located about 50 minute-drive from the state capital.
This was based on reports and information gathered from the field from agencies under the committee, where it also entailed immediate activation of the district disaster management operations centre.
