Malaysia: Sabah firefighters battled one bush fire every hour last month

The Star 11 Apr 15;

KOTA KINABALU: Firefighters are faced with the challenge of controlling and putting out bush and forest fires occuring almost on an hourly basis in the state.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi said according to their call records, the department received 759 calls on wildfire last month.

That amounted to at least 25 cases per day or one incident per hour, he said.

The figure did not include cases of buildings or properties that caught fire, he added.

“This is extremely worrying and wearing our men down as they have to be on standby every second to ensure that each call is attended to for the safety of the community,” said Nordin.

Of the incidents, he said the worst was on a 24ha land in Tuaran recently, where the fire control operation lasted for four days.

“Imagine what would happen if such cases continued and worsened, there might even be loss of lives,” he said.

Nordin said the spike in wildfires was a result of the dry spell in the state for more than a month now.

“We hope the weather improves soon. People must stop open burning or throwing cigarette butts everywhere,” he said.

Those who spot a bushfire could do their bit by putting out the flames before they spread, he advised.

759 bush and forest fire cases received last month
OLIVIA MIWIL New Straits Times 10 Apr 15;

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Fire and Rescue Department received 759 bush and forest fire cases in last month alone.

Its director Nordin Pauzi said on average the department had to deal average 25 cases a day.

"Firemen have to spend between two hours to four days to put out fire.

"Fire areas could have spread from two acres to as big as 60acres," he added.

In January there were only 16 cases and in February 175 cases.

Nordin added the department would work closely with Meteorology department to monitor the situation.