Kota kinabalu: The current hot weather has been identified as one of the contributing factors to a higher number of fire incidents, with 1,403 cases reported across Sabah during the first four months of this year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Muhammad Taquiddin Victor Doon stated that extreme weather has driven the increase in the frequency of fires, especially those involving open burning. He noted that 863 cases, or about 61 percent, were open fires exacerbated by dry environmental conditions.
The breakdown of these open fires involved bushes and grass with 551 cases, followed by forest fires with 233 cases, rubbish fires with 51 cases, and farm or plantation fires with 28 cases. The hot weather, combined with the lack of rainfall, has reduced the moisture content of soil and vegetation, making it easier for fires to spread even from small sources.
Muhammad Taquiddin explained that grass, bushes, and wood become very dry, making areas susceptible to fire even from a small spark. High temperatures and strong winds, particularly during the Southwest Monsoon, cause fires to spread quickly and become difficult to control, enabling them to reach other areas rapidly.
Despite the role of hot weather as a catalyst, Muhammad Taquiddin emphasized that the main cause of fire incidents remains uncontrolled human activities. These include open burning activities, discarded cigarette butts, land clearing, and negligence in the kitchen and the use of electricity.
In response to the situation, the Sabah JBPM is enhancing its operational readiness through continuous monitoring, particularly in areas identified as high-risk during the dry season. This effort is supported by deploying personnel and assets at optimal levels to ensure swift, efficient, and effective response capabilities.
Additionally, the Sabah JBPM is intensifying public awareness campaigns, including initiatives like Bomba Komuniti, Junior Bomba, Suri Komuniti Bomba (Suri), and Briged Bomba to act as early responders. These initiatives focus on fire prevention education, techniques for using fire extinguishers, and the initial actions to be taken before the fire brigade arrives at the scene, aiming to develop communities that can act as first responders in fire incidents at the community level.
Earlier today, approximately 30 houses were destroyed in a fire at Jalan Bokara, Kampung Karamunting, in Sandakan. This was the second incident within less than a month in Sandakan, following the water village fire tragedy in Kampung Bahagia on April 19, which destroyed 1,000 houses and left over 9,000 people homeless.