KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department has recorded 1,089 open burning cases from the overall total of 1,418 fire emergency calls received since Jan 1.
Its director, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, said that of the open burning cases, 880 were bush fires, 114 forest fires, 70 garbage fires and 25 plantation fires, covering a total area of 1,618ha statewide.
"Kota Baru has the highest number of cases with 400, followed by Bachok (278) and Pasir Mas (173),” he said in a statement on Sunday (March 29).
A total of 28 fire engines, seven water tankers and a specialised mobile pump unit are deployed at 22 fire stations throughout the state to respond to open burning calls, he added.
"Monitoring has also been intensified, especially in the 7,689ha of peat soil areas in Bachok, Tumpat, Pasir Puteh and Pasir Mas.
"There has been a sudden surge in calls by up to 64% about open burning this month (March), which is in line with the Meteorological Department's forecast of dry weather until mid-April or June," he said.
He advised the public not to engage in open burning activities to prevent the situation from worsening. – Bernama
