Perak recorded 700 open burning cases from January to March 2026, with hot, dry weather increasing fire risks and authorities maintaining high alert
IPOH: A total of 700 open burning cases involving bushes and undergrowth were recorded in Perak from January to March 2026, making it the highest category of incidents each month.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the current hot and dry weather is also increasing the risk of open fires.
She cited Malaysian Meteorological Department information showing several districts, including Hulu Perak, Kinta and Kuala Kangsar, are at Level 1 (alert), with daily maximum temperatures reaching between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.
“Besides bush and undergrowth fires, the Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) reported 157 cases of rubbish fires in the same period.
Forest fires recorded 53 cases, while garden or plantation fires accounted for 47 cases,” she told a press conference after closing the JBPM Perak Public Awareness Programme in conjunction with the MADANI Rakyat Programme.
Ng advised the public against any form of open burning and to always maintain environmental safety.
“The state government also reminds that open burning is not only against the law but can cause fires to spread rapidly, especially in the current hot and dry conditions,” she said.
In a separate development, Ng said the implementation of stricter penalties for littering in public places, including fines of up to RM2,000 and Community Service Orders (PKM) of four to 12 hours, is being rolled out in Perak.
“In principle, the state government agrees with the implementation, but we need to refine the methods, including enforcement aspects and the parties involved. We have about six months to coordinate and finalise the implementation mechanism before it can be fully enforced,” she said.
Meanwhile, Perak JBPM director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the department maintains an 80 per cent readiness level of its personnel, who are on standby at all times to face fire risks following the hot weather.
He said between 950 and 1,000 firefighters are on alert even during festive seasons, with a scheduled leave system to ensure operations are unaffected.
“At any one time, about 80 per cent of personnel remain ready to be deployed for any eventuality, including rubbish fires, forest fires and so on,” he said.
Sayani added that the department is strengthening preparedness through the addition of new vehicles, regular inspections of fire hydrants and patrols in areas identified as fire hotspots.
“Inspections also cover all assets, including vehicles and personnel, to ensure firefighting operations can be carried out efficiently. Even though it’s hot, we also face rain and strong winds at certain times. So, our preparedness covers both of these extreme weather situations,” he said.