KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department has recorded 232 cases of open burning over eight days beginning on April 4, attributed to the ongoing hot weather or deliberately done by individuals.

       Its operations assistant director Mohd Wildan Azhari stated that 39 hotspots were identified, with the highest number being 12 locations in Pasir Puteh.

       He said the majority of the cases involved bush or grassland, waste dumps, peat land, plantations and farms.

       Overall, the department received 752 reports of open burning in the past four months starting from January, nearly matching the total of 814 cases for the whole of last year.

       “The highest instances of open burning occurred from 2021 to 2024, covering an area of ？？eight hectares in an oil palm plantation in Kampung Gong Manok, Pasir Puteh, and waste fires in Beris Lalang, Bachok, Kampung Pusu 40, Pasir Mas and Kampung Bedullah, Tumpat,” said Mohd Wildan.

       “We receive emergency calls about open burning almost daily.

       “However, we do not face any logistical issues because we receive assistance from other fire stations,” he told Bernama yesterday.

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       He added that the department conducts patrols, offers public advice on the hazards of open burning and manages personnel leave to ensure effective deployment for assignments.