KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 121 cases of open burning were recorded in Terengganu in the first month of this year, compared to only 12 for the same period last year.
Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Mahathir Muhamad said the nine-fold increase is very worrying as it could lead to severe fire outbreaks like those seen in other states such as Johor.
His department had identified 120 areas that often see fires, especially in the Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus districts.
“Data of these hotspots are obtained from the relevant departments for our monitoring so that preventive measures can be taken.
“In Terengganu, incidences of fires are still under control, but we are appealing to the public to refrain from open burning to avoid catastrophic outcomes,” he said at the annual gathering of the state Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) here yesterday.
