KUALA TERENGGANU – The current hot and dry spell engulfing almost the entire country has resulted in 594 fires of various proportions in Terengganu from January until yesterday.
Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department director Hassan As’ari Omar said from the 594 cases reported, 421 involved farms, forests, secondary forests, and bushes.
Hassan said the main cause of the fires was due to the dry spell that started in March, continuing until now.
“Other cases reported involved buildings, houses, vehicles, and appliances. But the number remains small. Statistics of fires in the month of March alone was 250 cases,” he told reporters at the Kuala Terengganu fire and rescue station, here today.
Hassan added that only 20% of the 806 firefighters and officers in the state would be given leave during the festive season while the rest would be on duty around the clock and carry out patrolling duties, especially at 10 locations identified as high-risk, fire-prone areas .
The locations include Kg Telaga Papan, Lembah Bidong, Saujana, and Kg Merang in Setiu; Kg Gong Badak, Batu Rakit and Tok Jembal in Kuala Nerus; Kg Jambu Bongkok and Kg Kelulut in Marang, and Rantau Abang in Dungun. – Bernama, April 17, 2023
