BY AZRIL ANNUAR | 11 Nov 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Malaysia saw nearly 1,500 cases of open burning and forest fires during the haze season in August and September this year.
Category: Malaysia
Fire hotspots identified in Johor, Pahang, Terengganu
19 September, 2019
PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia’s Ministry of Water, Land, and Natural Resources said on Wednesday (Sept 18) that it has identified six forest fire hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia.
Its minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar said the Forestry Departments of each state have identified the hotspots in Johor, Pahang, and Terengganu.
“From yesterday until today, satellite imaging scans by the departments have revealed three of the hotspots are located in Johor, two in Pahang, and one in Terengganu.
“We have advised the departments to conduct regular field patrols to identify potential hotspots and to prevent forest fire outbreaks, especially in permanent forest estate areas,” he told the press here.
Advertisement
In a statement, the ministry said the Forestry Department has deployed a Semut Merah (Fire Ant in Malay) team to extinguish and control the fires, and constructed 85 tube wells so far with the cooperation of the Mineral and Geoscience Department.
It has also launched a Disaster Operations Center during the drought season, and a campaign to spread awareness of forest fires.
Read also: Putrajaya lying about haze? Stop living in denial, Malaysian minister tells Indonesian counterpart
This comes as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Wednesday that Putrajaya may make satellite data mapping of the regional locations of fire outbreaks and other information about haze hotspots available on official channels.
After a Cabinet meeting on the haze situation, the Malaysian prime minister acknowledged the annual recurrence of the haze to be a touchy subject with Indonesia, saying others had raised it but it has resulted in a finger-pointing game. MALAY MAIL
Link: https://www.todayonline.com/world/fire-hotspots-identified-johor-pahang-terengganu
Johor fire chief says open burning main cause for forest fires in state
JOHOR BARU, Sept 11 — Uncontrolled open burning was identified as the main cause for the destruction of more than 48ha of forest areas in Johor recently, said state Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Yahaya Madis.
In Johor, he said there were three hotspots, with the biggest being Muar with 20ha destroyed, followed by Pontian (12ha) and Gelang Patah (16ha) recently.
Forest fires cause ‘unhealthy’ air quality in Pahang town
PUTRAJAYA: Smoke from forest fires in Pekan caused air quality to drop to unhealthy levels at Bandar Indera Mahkota this morning, the Environment Department reported.
It said Air Pollutant Index readings throughout the country were at moderate levels, except at Bandar Indera Mahkota which recorded an API of 104.
Peat fire razes 420 ha of forest near Kuantan, firemen still battling blaze
Bernama | 25 Apr 2019
KUANTAN (Bernama): A peat soil forest fire near the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS) in Sungai Ular here razed 420ha of forest Thursday (April 25), compared to 40ha last week.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammad said the absence of an entry road, limited water source, and wind movements were among the difficulties faced by the department in an operation to douse the fire.
Fire Dept: 40-hectare forest in Kuantan on fire
Bernama | 21 April 2019
KUANTAN, April 21 — Nearly 40 hectares of a forest near the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy here have reportedly been on fire since Thursday.
Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station head Syed A. Jamaludin Syed Mohamed said they only found out about the fire at 4 pm on Thursday when a patrol team spotted it.
Forest fires flare up again in Similajau National Park
NATION | 12 Apr 2019
MIRI: Forest fires have flared up again in the Similajau National Park in northern Sarawak.
The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is sending in its volunteer firefighters to help those from Sarawak Bomba who are already there.
SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said on Friday (April 12) that fires had been detected inside the park again.
Sarawak hit by 176 forest fires in 21 days
Sarawak hit by 176 forest fires in 21 days
– March 21, 2019 @ 4:38pm
MIRI: A total of 176 forest fire cases were reported throughout Sarawak in the span of 21 days, affecting a total coverage area of 109 hectares.
Apart from Miri, forest fires were also reported in Bintulu, Kuching, and Sarikei believed to be due to the hot and dry weather affecting the state.
A spokesman for the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Operations Centre said this marked an increase in the number of forest fire cases since early last month.
Last month, a total of 19 bush fires were reported.
“The extreme weather means that fires can easily spread and are hard to contain.
“As such, we are appealing to the people to refrain from conducting any form of open burning,” said the department in a statement.
The fires, which has so far centered around Sarawak’s northern region, has also led to reports of thick haze due to the smoke.
Link: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/471626/sarawak-hit-176-forest-fires-21-days
Malaysia is willing to assist Indonesia to battle forest fire
Sin Chew Daily/ ANN | 01 August 2017
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Malaysia is ready to send fire fighters and officers to help Indonesia put out forest fire.
After launching the smart tunnel run 2017 today, he told media that the government is viewing forest fire in Indonesia seriously as it may spark off haze and the government is ready to offer assistance.
Indonesia assures ASEAN neighbours a haze-free 2017
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Indonesia has assured that there will be no transboundary haze problems plaguing Southeast Asia’s skyline this year, said Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry advisor Arief Yuwono.
Speaking at the 19th Technical Working Group and Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Kuala Lumpur on May 18, he said that the prediction was based on 2016’s record as the year saw almost zero recurrence of haze.