Johor open burning cases surge 226 per cent amid haze concerns

JOHOR BARU: Open burning cases in Johor surged by about 226 per cent to 4,222 between January and Sept 11 this year, as the Fire and Rescue Department warned that uncontrolled fires could contribute to air pollution and haze.

The public was urged not to leave sources of fire unattended, as uncontrolled fires could endanger lives and property, particularly amid hot and dry weather.

It said the increase during the El Niño phenomenon had drawn attention, as hot and dry conditions could cause fires to spread more easily, while fires in areas such as peatlands could take longer to extinguish.

The Johor Operations Centre of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department said the figure was 2,928 higher than the 1,294 cases recorded during the same period last year.

"A total of 560 cases were recorded in August, while 418 cases were recorded in the first 11 days of September," it said in a statement.

The cases involved open burning in areas of lalang, bushes, forests, agricultural land, plantations and peatlands. -- BERNAMA